Meleah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: meh-LAY-uh /məˈleɪə/
Origin: Hebrew; African
Meaning: Hebrew: 'gift of God'; African: 'the one who is loved'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meleah is believed to have roots in Hebrew, deriving from the name "Melech," which means "king." This etymological connection emphasizes a regal or noble connotation, as the term is often associated with leadership and authority. The transition into English likely occurred through the influence of Hebrew names in biblical texts, where names were frequently transliterated into Greek and Latin before being adopted into various vernacular languages, including English.
The name Meleah may also be linked to the Hebrew word "mal'akh," meaning "angel," further enriching its spiritual significance. Historically, the name Meleah does not have a direct presence in biblical texts or prominent historical figures, but it resonates with the broader tradition of Hebrew names that have been adopted in various cultures.
The use of Hebrew names in Christian contexts, particularly during the Middle Ages, facilitated their integration into English-speaking societies. The King James Bible, published in the early 17th century, played a significant role in popularizing many biblical names, although Meleah itself does not appear directly in this translation.
Culturally, names derived from Hebrew often carry deep symbolic meanings, reflecting virtues such as strength, wisdom, and divinity. The name Meleah, with its royal implications, may evoke themes of leadership and grace, resonating with the qualities traditionally admired in historical and religious contexts.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, such as Leah, the name Meleah stands out for its unique phonetic structure and its connection to themes of nobility and spirituality, contributing to its enduring appeal across generations.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meleah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Meleah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Meleah was first seen in the United States in 1955.
Meleah has ranked as high as #1339 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Meleah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meleah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Meleah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Meleah (2014)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Meleah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2013 | 28 |
| 2012 | 44 |
| 2011 | 44 |
| 2010 | 37 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2008 | 39 |
| 2007 | 49 |
| 2006 | 39 |
| 2005 | 31 |
| 2004 | 43 |
| 2003 | 37 |
| 2002 | 40 |
| 2001 | 42 |
| 2000 | 42 |
| 1999 | 32 |
| 1998 | 39 |
| 1997 | 39 |
| 1996 | 25 |
| 1995 | 23 |
| 1994 | 26 |
| 1993 | 18 |
| 1992 | 18 |
| 1991 | 21 |
| 1990 | 17 |
| 1989 | 25 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1987 | 11 |
| 1986 | 22 |
| 1985 | 22 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1983 | 19 |
| 1982 | 24 |
| 1981 | 19 |
| 1980 | 16 |
| 1979 | 24 |
| 1978 | 29 |
| 1977 | 20 |
| 1976 | 20 |
| 1975 | 15 |
| 1974 | 16 |
| 1973 | 7 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1971 | 8 |
| 1970 | 12 |
| 1969 | 14 |
| 1968 | 15 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1964 | 12 |
| 1963 | 10 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1959 | 8 |
| 1957 | 12 |
| 1956 | 12 |
| 1955 | 9 |