Melvin Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Melvin is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Melvin?
Melvin is spelled M-E-L-V-I-N. The name has 6 letters.
Melvin at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Melvin is derived from a surname of uncertain etymology, which may be associated with leadership or chieftainship.
- Origin
- Melvin is commonly associated with English and Scottish surnames that later became used as given names.
- Pronunciation
- MEL-vin · 2 syllables
Melvin Popularity in 2025
Rank#958
Recorded Births243
- Boys usage fell 87 places to #958 and recorded 34 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Melvin Mean?
Melvin is derived from a surname of uncertain etymology, which may be associated with leadership or chieftainship.
Origin: Melvin is commonly associated with English and Scottish surnames that later became used as given names.
How Do You Pronounce Melvin?
PronunciationMEL-vin
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Melvin?
- History
- Melvin has been used as a first name in English-speaking countries since at least the 19th century.
Melvin Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 243 | #958 |
| 2024 | Boys | 277 | #871 |
| 2023 | Boys | 299 | #820 |
| 2022 | Boys | 300 | #827 |
| 2021 | Boys | 307 | #798 |
| 2020 | Boys | 323 | #752 |
| 2019 | Boys | 314 | #758 |
| 2018 | Boys | 334 | #718 |
| 2017 | Boys | 328 | #727 |
| 2016 | Boys | 337 | #727 |
| 2015 | Boys | 365 | #687 |
| 2014 | Boys | 386 | #664 |
| 2013 | Boys | 402 | #617 |
| 2012 | Boys | 393 | #618 |
| 2011 | Boys | 390 | #614 |
| 2010 | Boys | 456 | #556 |
| 2009 | Boys | 535 | #505 |
| 2008 | Boys | 592 | #467 |
| 2007 | Boys | 633 | #443 |
| 2006 | Boys | 673 | #423 |
| 2005 | Boys | 627 | #424 |
| 2004 | Boys | 613 | #426 |
| 2003 | Boys | 656 | #397 |
| 2002 | Boys | 908 | #315 |
When Was Melvin Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1928 · Boys
4,249 recorded births
National rank #48
1927 · Boys
4,202 recorded births
National rank #48
1926 · Boys
4,194 recorded births
National rank #47
1942 · Boys
4,188 recorded births
National rank #60
Where Melvin Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| PA | #363 | 30 |
| KY | #485 | 9 |
| MD | #516 | 9 |
| KS | #524 | 6 |
| TN | #592 | 12 |
| VA | #670 | 10 |
| WI | #678 | 6 |
| MO | #709 | 7 |