NameRealm
Melvin

Melvin: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning
“chieftain”
Origin
Celtic
Say it
MEL-vin · 2 syllables
Used for
Boys

Usually taken from a surname of Celtic origin, often linked to Irish Maoil Mhín or Scottish place-name elements. Its exact pathway into given-name use is somewhat complex.

Irish namesScottish namesEnglish namesNames meaning royaltyNames meaning nobleVintage namesClassic names

How popular is Melvin?

202483.0 per million US babies
1880192019602000
Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Babies named Melvin in 2024275

2024 rank#871 boys

Peak year1928

Total US babies since 1880246,815

Melvin is steady now but far below its 1928 peak.

Names like Melvin

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

  • Melvinachieftain-like friend · Scottish Gaelic
  • GaelGaelic person · Celtic
  • Arthurmeaning uncertain · Celtic
  • Alanuncertain; possibly little rock or handsome · Celtic
  • Tristantumult; outcry · Celtic
  • Bryanhigh, noble · Celtic
  • Brycespeckled · Celtic
  • Kanewarrior · Celtic

Melvin questions

What does the name Melvin mean?

Melvin means "chieftain". It comes from Celtic. Usually taken from a surname of Celtic origin, often linked to Irish Maoil Mhín or Scottish place-name elements. Its exact pathway into given-name use is somewhat complex.

Is Melvin a boy or girl name?

Melvin is mainly a boy's name in US records (99% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Melvin?

275 US babies were named Melvin in 2024. Its peak year was 1928.

How do you pronounce Melvin?

Melvin is usually pronounced MEL-vin.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.