Melvin
English · Boy · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Melvin
Melvin derives from the Old English elements "mael" (friend) and "wine" (friend), making it a name meaning "friend" or "mill friend," though some sources suggest it may come from the Scottish place name Melville.
Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Melvin derives from the Old English elements "mael" (friend) and "wine" (friend), making it a name meaning "friend" or "mill friend," though some sources suggest it may come from the Scottish place name Melville. The name is primarily used in English-speaking cultures, particularly among Protestant communities, and gained popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries, notably borne by figures like jazz musician Melvin Davis and actor Melvin Douglas.
Melvin currently ranks #959 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1928.
Variants & nicknames
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
English, Swedish names that sit beautifully beside MelvinSimilar names you might like
Names starting with MMore names starting with M
- Mabel
- Madalena
- Madison
- Maciej
- Mads
- Mael
- Mackenzie
- Mae
- Madelyn
- Madeline
- Macarena
- Maarten
- Maaike
- Madeleine
- Maddy
- Maddison
- Madhuri
- Mack
Find middle names for Melvin →
🧬 See Melvin's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Melvin's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Melvin your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Melvin already? Find sibling names that fit →
✨ Get stylish & fancy text versions of Melvin →
Names that sound like Melvin
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Malvina means "smooth brow" or "dear friend" and derives from the Scottish Gaelic elements "mal" (smooth) and "mhin" (brow), though…"
"Malvin is derived from the Old English elements "mal" (meaning bad or unfortunate) and "wine" (meaning friend), literally translating to…"
"Melvyn is a variant spelling of Melvin, derived from the Old English elements "mel" (meaning mill) and "wine" (meaning friend),…"
"Malviina is a Finnish feminine name derived from the Germanic name Malvine, which likely stems from the Old German elements…"
"Melvynn is a modern English variant spelling of Melvin, which derives from the Old English elements "mel" (mill) and "wine"…"
"Melivn appears to be a variant spelling of Melvin, which derives from the Old English elements "mel" (mill) and "wine"…"
"Melvine is a feminine form of Melvin, derived from the Scottish Gaelic name Mealladh or the Old English elements "mill"…"
"Malvine derives from the Germanic elements "mal" (bad/evil) and "wine" (friend), literally meaning "bad friend" or "evil friend," though it…"
"Melvina is a feminine form of the Scottish name Melvin, derived from Gaelic roots meaning "smooth brow" or "chief," combining…"
"Malvena is derived from the Latin "malva" (mallow plant) combined with the feminine suffix "-ena," meaning "of or resembling the…"
"Milven appears to be a modern invented or extremely rare name with no established etymological root in major language traditions;…"
"Melvan is a modern name likely derived from combining elements such as "Mel" (from Melvin, meaning "mill friend" or "smooth…"