Melina Girl

Popularity: #525 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: meh-LEE-nah /mɛˈlinə/

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: honey; Latin: little honey

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Melina has its roots in ancient Greek, deriving from the word "mēlon," which means "apple" or "honey.” This etymological connection suggests a connotation of sweetness and abundance. The name entered the English language through various cultural exchanges, particularly during the Renaissance when classical names from Greek and Latin were revived in Europe.

The transition from Greek to Latin and then into English reflects a broader trend of incorporating classical elements into modern languages, particularly during periods of renewed interest in ancient cultures. Historically, Melina has been associated with various figures in literature and mythology.

In Greek mythology, Melina is sometimes linked to the nymphs or deities associated with honey and bees, reinforcing the name's sweet connotations. The name also appears in various forms in different cultures, often retaining its core meaning related to sweetness or fruitfulness.

While not as prominent as some other names, Melina has appeared in literary works and has been used by notable figures throughout history, contributing to its cultural resonance. In addition to its mythological roots, Melina has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including literature and music.

The name's association with nature and sweetness has made it a symbol of beauty and fertility in different cultures. In some traditions, names that evoke natural elements, such as fruits or flowers, are often chosen for their positive connotations and the blessings they symbolize.

This enduring appeal is reflected in the name's continued use across different cultures and languages, where it may also appear in diminutive forms, such as Mel or Lina, which further emphasize its affectionate qualities.

Famous people named Melina

In this section, you will find notable people named Melina. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Melina who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Melina who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Melina Mercouri is an actress and singer best known for Never on Sunday, The Travelling Players, and Topkapi.

Melina Matsoukas is a director and producer best known for Insecure, Master of None, and Beyoncé: Formation.

Fictional characters named Melina

The following list of fictional characters named Melina is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Melina is a fictional character from the video game series Metal Gear. She is a key figure in the narrative, often involved in espionage and complex relationships with other characters.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Melina, 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 Melina. 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 Melina was first seen in the United States in 1883.

Melina has ranked as high as #755 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Melina has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Melina 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 Melina was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Melina (2024)

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
CA 87
21%
TX 50
12%
FL 40
10%
IL 31
8%
NY 26
6%
PA 23
6%
NJ 19
5%
NC 17
4%
AZ 14
3%
GA 12
3%
VA 10
2%
MA 10
2%
CO 9
2%
IN 9
2%
CT 8
2%

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 Melina.

YearBirths
2024466
2023448
2022460
2021468
2020445
2019486
2018471
2017486
2016490
2015502
2014496
2013482
2012440
2011500
2010593
2009681
2008598
2007674
2006536
2005511
2004434
2003441
2002489
2001569
2000480
1999425
1998270
1997258
1996288
1995328
1994292
1993354
1992292
1991344
1990238
1989143
1988127
1987118
1986140
1985182
1984169
1983192
1982200
1981179
1980184
1979164
1978134
1977143
1976148
1975101
197479
197371
197286
1971103
197075
196986
196889
1967106
196657
196572
196444
196344
196257
196140
196020
195913
195812
19578
195612
195513
19549
195316
195212
195113
195010
19498
194715
19426
19405
19385
19335
19306
19296
19285
192612
19255
19245
19236
19227
19215
19206
19199
19189
19178
191610
191512
19147
19137
19126
19117
19107
19095
190811
19047
19037
19015
19005
18997
18985
18975
18956
18947
18926
18885
18857
18835