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

Popularity of Melchor by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Melchor is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Melchor.

The history of the first name Melchor

Melchor is a masculine given name with its origins rooted in the Spanish language. It is derived from the Hebrew name Malki-Or, which translates to "king of light" or "my king is light." The name gained prominence during the biblical era, particularly in the Christian tradition.

One of the earliest and most significant references to the name Melchor can be found in the Biblical story of the Three Wise Men or Magi who visited the newborn Jesus Christ. In the Western Christian tradition, one of the Three Wise Men is named Melchor, representing the gift of gold brought to the Christ Child. This association with the Nativity story has contributed to the name's enduring popularity within the Christian faith.

The name Melchor was particularly prevalent in Spain and other Spanish-speaking regions during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period. It was a popular choice among the nobility and royalty, reflecting the name's regal connotations. Some notable historical figures bearing the name Melchor include:

1. Melchor Cano (1509-1560), a Spanish Dominican theologian and one of the leading figures of the Catholic Reformation.
2. Melchor Gaspar de Jovellanos (1744-1811), a Spanish Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and statesman.
3. Melchor Ocampo (1814-1861), a Mexican lawyer, politician, and one of the leading figures in the Reform War in Mexico.
4. Melchor Bravo de Saravia (1512-1577), a Spanish conquistador who played a significant role in the conquest of Peru.
5. Melchor Rodríguez García (1893-1972), a Spanish Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Valladolid from 1949 to 1972.

These historical figures, spanning different eras and regions, exemplify the widespread use and significance of the name Melchor throughout various cultures influenced by the Spanish language and Christian traditions.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!