Find out how popular the first name Meleka has been for the last 1 years (from 1995 to 1995) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Meleka by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Meleka is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1995, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Meleka.

The history of the first name Meleka

The name Meleka has its origins in ancient Greece, where it was derived from the Greek word "melekos," meaning "honey-sweet" or "delightful." This name was particularly popular during the Hellenistic period, which spanned from the 4th to 1st centuries BCE.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Meleka can be found in the works of the ancient Greek poet Sappho, who lived on the island of Lesbos around 600 BCE. In her poetry, Sappho made reference to a woman named Meleka, suggesting that the name was in use during that time.

During the Byzantine era, which lasted from the 4th to the 15th century CE, the name Meleka gained popularity among Greek Christians. It is believed that the name was associated with the Virgin Mary, who was often referred to as the "Honey-Sweet" or "Delightful One" in religious texts and hymns.

In the 12th century, a renowned Byzantine scholar and philosopher named Meleka of Thessaloniki lived and worked in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). She was known for her extensive knowledge of Greek philosophy and her contributions to the intellectual life of the Byzantine Empire.

Another notable figure who bore the name Meleka was Meleka of Crete, a 16th-century Greek icon painter and hagiographer (writer of saints' lives). Her works were highly regarded for their intricate detail and religious symbolism.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over Greece, which lasted from the 15th to the 19th century, the name Meleka continued to be used among Greek communities. One famous bearer of the name was Meleka Karavidas, a Greek revolutionary who fought against Ottoman rule in the 1821 Greek War of Independence.

In more recent times, the name Meleka has been associated with several notable figures in the arts and literature. For example, Meleka Papadaki was a 20th-century Greek painter and sculptor known for her abstract and surrealist works, while Meleka Triantafyllides was a renowned Greek novelist and poet who wrote extensively about life in rural Greece.

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

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

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