Find out how popular the first name Melane has been for the last 37 years (from 1976 to 2012) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Melane by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Melane is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2012, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Melane.

The history of the first name Melane

The given name Melane has its origins in Ancient Greek, derived from the word "melaina" which means "black" or "dark". This name was particularly prevalent in the regions of Ancient Greece and the surrounding areas during the classical period, spanning from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Melane can be found in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad, where it is mentioned as the name of a nymph. In Greek mythology, nymphs were minor female deities typically associated with a particular location or landform, such as rivers, mountains, or forests.

During the Byzantine era, which lasted from the 4th century AD to the 15th century AD, the name Melane continued to be used, although its popularity waned compared to the classical period. One notable figure from this time was Melane of Gaza, a philosopher and rhetorician who lived in the 5th century AD and is known for her defense of pagan beliefs against the rise of Christianity.

In the medieval period, the name Melane experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in regions where Greek culture and language had a strong influence, such as the Byzantine Empire and parts of Italy. One example from this time is Melane of Epirus, a Byzantine princess who lived in the 12th century and was the daughter of Michael I Ducas, the ruler of the Despotate of Epirus.

During the Renaissance, the name Melane was adopted by a few notable figures in the arts and literature. One such individual was Melane Favart, a French actress and playwright who lived from 1727 to 1792 and is best known for her comedic plays and performances in the Comédie Italienne.

In more recent history, the name Melane has been relatively uncommon, although it has been used by a few notable individuals. One example is Melane Roussel, a French author and journalist who lived from 1921 to 2007 and wrote several novels and plays, as well as working as a journalist for various publications.

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 Melane was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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