How Many People Are Named Melanie?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Melanie

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 8,568 living people in the United States currently have the first name Melanie. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 18,614 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #131 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~8,568CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)18,614Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#131U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1942 (362 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~8,568
Historical Births (SSA)
18,614
All-Time Rank
#131
Historical Peak
1942

Key Insights for Melanie

Estimated Living Bearers
~8,568 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#131
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
1942
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
1.1% Male · 98.9% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~1,071 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Melanie

Living Population Model
~8,568

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
18,614

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
14,286

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
53.8 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1942

Highest annual total: 362 registrations in 1942.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (+0%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Melanie has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Melanie (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1942 (~362 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201081081
201181081
201281081
201381081
201481081
201581081
201681081
201781081
201881081
201981081
202081081
202181081
202281081
202381081
202481081

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
98/100
1950s
81/100
1960s
49/100
1970s
23/100
1980s
8/100
1990s
3/100
2000s
23/100
2010s
22/100
2020s
11/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Melanie is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (98.9% female births).

Male: 1.1% (~199 births)Female: 98.9% (~18,415 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Melanie

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Melanie in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Melanie appeared 14,286 times, ranking #380 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
14,286 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#380
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Melanie Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~1,071 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~1,07112.5%
Texas (TX)~7889.2%
Florida (FL)~5836.8%
New York (NY)~5236.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~3434%
Illinois (IL)~3343.9%
Ohio (OH)~3083.6%
Georgia (GA)~2833.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 8,568 people named Melanie are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 53.8 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Melanie: 53.8 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Melanie

How many people in the U.S. are named Melanie?

Approximately 8,568 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Melanie. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 18,614 birth applications for Melanie between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Melanie?

Melanie ranks #131 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Melanie comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Melanie most popular in America?

The name Melanie reached its peak historical popularity in 1942, when 362 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Melanie?

Melanie has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Melanie?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Melanie is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (98.9% female births).

Where is the name Melanie most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Melanie resides in California, with approximately 1,071 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Melanie in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Melanie appeared 14,286 times in census returns, ranking #380 in official 2020 returns.

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