Find out how popular the first name Melody has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Melody by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Melody is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Melody being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,557 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Melody.

The history of the first name Melody

The given name Melody has its origins in the Greek language, derived from the word "melos," which means "song" or "tune." The name itself is a relatively modern one, gaining popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a reflection of the Romantic period's celebration of music and the arts.

While the name Melody is not directly referenced in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its Greek roots can be traced back to the classical era, where music and poetry were highly revered art forms. The earliest recorded instances of the name's use are from the late 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and Britain.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Melody was Melody Maker, an American actress born in 1896 who appeared in several silent films during the early 20th century. Another early bearer of the name was Melody Sheehan, an American socialite and philanthropist born in 1901.

In the world of music, one of the most famous Melodys was Melody Gardot, a renowned American jazz singer and songwriter born in 1985. Gardot's unique blend of jazz, folk, and blues styles has earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base worldwide.

Another prominent figure with the name Melody was Melody Petersen, an American journalist and author born in 1958. Petersen is known for her investigative reporting on the pharmaceutical industry, including her book "Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs."

Lastly, Melody Biringer, an American software engineer and computer scientist born in 1959, made significant contributions to the development of early graphical user interfaces and the Xerox Star workstation.

These individuals, spanning various fields and time periods, exemplify the versatility and enduring appeal of the name Melody, which continues to evoke a sense of harmony, creativity, and artistic expression.

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

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

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