Find out how popular the first name Melaku has been for the last 1 years (from 1993 to 1993) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Melaku by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Melaku is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1993, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Melaku.

The history of the first name Melaku

The name Melaku has its roots in the Semitic languages of the Horn of Africa, particularly the Amharic language spoken in Ethiopia. It is believed to have originated sometime during the ancient Aksumite Empire, which ruled the region from around the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE.

Melaku is derived from the Amharic word "melak," which means "king" or "ruler." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to denote someone of royal or noble lineage. It is possible that the name was first bestowed upon members of the Aksumite royal family or aristocracy.

In ancient Ethiopian texts, such as the Kebra Nagast (Glory of Kings), which dates back to the 14th century, there are references to individuals bearing the name Melaku. However, it is difficult to determine the earliest recorded use of the name due to the scarcity of written records from that period.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Melaku was Melaku Tsinat, a 16th-century Ethiopian ruler who reigned as the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1559 to 1563. He is remembered for his efforts to consolidate power and defend the kingdom against external threats.

Another notable figure was Melaku Sayfu, a 19th-century Ethiopian military leader and governor who played a significant role in the expansion and consolidation of the Ethiopian Empire under Emperor Tewodros II in the mid-1800s.

In more recent history, Melaku Beyen was an Ethiopian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Ethiopia from 1947 to 1958. He played a crucial role in negotiating the revision of the Ethio-Eritrean Treaty of 1900.

Melaku Fenta was an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competed in the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters event at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Ethiopian to win an Olympic medal in athletics.

Melaku Tefera is a contemporary Ethiopian long-distance runner who has won numerous international marathons and made significant contributions to the country's running success in recent years.

While the name Melaku is predominantly found in Ethiopia and among the Ethiopian diaspora, it has also gained some popularity in other parts of the world due to cultural exchanges and migrations. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the ancient civilizations of the Horn of Africa.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Melaku was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Melaku, please contact us.

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