Find out how popular the first name Melo has been for the last 12 years (from 2012 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Melo by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Melo is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 55 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Melo.

The history of the first name Melo

The name Melo is believed to have originated from the Greek word "melos," which means "song" or "melody." This suggests that the name may have roots in ancient Greek culture and mythology, where music and poetry played a significant role.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Melo was a 5th-century BC Greek poet and musician from the island of Lesbos. Unfortunately, little is known about his life and works, but his existence serves as evidence of the name's antiquity.

In ancient Roman times, the name Melo was also associated with the goddess Melpomene, one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology. Melpomene was the Muse of tragedy, and her name is derived from the Greek words "melos" and "pomen," meaning "song" and "to celebrate with dance and music."

During the Middle Ages, the name Melo appears to have been relatively uncommon, but it resurfaced in Renaissance-era Italy. One notable figure from this period was Melo Bragadino, a 16th-century Venetian merchant and diplomat who served as the Venetian governor of Famagusta, Cyprus. He is remembered for his heroic defense of the city against the Ottoman Turks in 1571, which ultimately led to his capture and brutal execution.

In the 17th century, the name Melo gained prominence in Portugal, where it was associated with the influential Melo family. One member of this family, Francisco de Melo, was a renowned military commander and diplomat who played a crucial role in the Portuguese Restoration War against Spain in the mid-17th century.

Another historical figure with the name Melo was Francisco Manuel de Melo, a 17th-century Portuguese writer and historian. He is best known for his satirical work "Relógios Falantes" (The Talking Clocks), which critiqued the social and political conditions of his time.

In more recent centuries, the name Melo has been adopted across various cultures and regions, though its origins can be traced back to its Greek and Roman roots. Some notable individuals with this name include the Brazilian singer and songwriter Melo Muç (born 1981) and the Mexican actor and producer Melo Bolaño (born 1979).

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

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

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