Find out how popular the first name Melquiades has been for the last 48 years (from 1975 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Melquiades by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Melquiades is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Melquiades.

The history of the first name Melquiades

The given name Melquiades has its origins in Spanish and Portuguese cultures, originating from the Hebrew name Malki-Tzedek, which means "king of righteousness" or "righteous king." This name can be traced back to ancient times, appearing in the Bible as the name of a figure who was both a king and a priest.

In the Book of Genesis, Melchizedek is introduced as the king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. He is revered as a righteous and holy figure, blessing Abraham after the latter's victory in battle. The name Melquiades is a variant spelling that emerged in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, reflecting the influence of Hebrew and Arabic linguistic traditions in the Iberian Peninsula.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Melquiades can be found in the 6th century. Melquiades was the name of a Spanish-born Pope who reigned from 311 to 314 AD. Known as Saint Melchiades, he is remembered for his efforts in resolving the Donatist schism and for establishing the precedent that Easter should be celebrated on a Sunday.

In the realm of literature, the name Melquíades gained prominence through Gabriel García Márquez's novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude." Melquíades is a pivotal character, a gypsy who introduces the Buendía family to the wonders of technology and magic realism. His character symbolizes the blending of the mythical and the practical, encapsulating the essence of the novel's narrative style.

Another notable figure with this name is Melquíades Álvarez, a Spanish politician and philosopher who lived from 1864 to 1936. He was a prominent leader of the Spanish Republican movement and a vocal advocate for democratic reforms. His writings and speeches played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Spain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the field of art, Melquiades Rodríguez (1908-1984) was a renowned Cuban painter and sculptor. His works, often depicting scenes from Cuban daily life, captured the vibrant colors and cultural richness of his homeland. Rodríguez's art is celebrated for its unique style, blending elements of cubism and surrealism with traditional Cuban motifs.

Melquíades Rafael Martínez (1851-1904) was a prominent Salvadoran military leader and politician who served as the President of El Salvador from 1899 to 1903. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernize the country's infrastructure and promote economic development, though his administration faced criticism for its authoritarian tendencies.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Melquiades, 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!