Find out how popular the first name Melba has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Melba by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Melba is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 11 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Melba.

The history of the first name Melba

The name Melba originates from the Spanish word "alba," meaning "dawn" or "white." It is believed to have been derived from the Latin word "albus," which also translates to "white." The name first gained popularity in the late 19th century.

Melba is thought to be a feminine form of the Spanish name Melchor, which is one of the traditional names given to the Three Kings or Wise Men in the Nativity story. The name Melchor is derived from the Hebrew "Malki-Or," meaning "king of light."

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Melba dates back to the late 19th century when it was given to Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba (1861-1931). Her real name was Helen Porter Mitchell, but she adopted the stage name Melba after her hometown of Melbourne, Australia.

Another notable historical figure named Melba was American singer and actress Melba Moore (born 1945). She is best known for her hit songs "This Is It" and "Falling" in the 1980s.

Melba Pattillo Beals (born 1941) was one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African American students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. She later wrote a memoir about her experiences titled "Warriors Don't Cry."

Melba Liston (1926-1999) was an American jazz trombonist, arranger, and composer. She was known for her work with renowned musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, and Quincy Jones.

Melba Hernandez (born 1945) is a Cuban-American businesswoman and former political activist. She was part of the anti-Castro movement in the 1960s and later became a successful entrepreneur in the real estate industry.

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

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

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