Melba Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Melba has its origins in Latin, meaning 'sweet' or 'pleasant.' It evolved through various historical forms and gained significant popularity in the late 19th century, largely due to the fame of opera singer Nellie Melba. The name carries traits of elegance and refinement, with no direct biblical relevance.
The name Melba is most popular in Arkansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Melba has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Melba' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5669th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4679th out of 6773 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 248th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 244th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 487th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1341st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4097th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 15087th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15328th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Melba' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Melba"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛlbə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Melba is believed to have originated from the Latin word 'melba,' which means 'a sweet or pleasant taste.' It is often associated with the famous Australian opera singer Nellie Melba, who popularized the name in the early 20th century.
Meaning
sweet, pleasant
Language Evolution
Melba (20th century), Melba (19th century), Melba (earlier Latin forms)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly due to the fame of Nellie Melba, who was a prominent figure in the world of opera.
Variants & Derivatives
Mel, Melbie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Melba is perceived as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with elegance and refinement due to its historical connections.
Famous People
Nellie Melba (famous Australian opera singer), Melba Moore (American singer and actress)
Explore More Melba Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Melba"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Melba"
"Melba" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5669th of 7545 | 20 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4679th of 6773 | 32 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 248th of 9107 | 12,671 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 244th of 9204 | 13,394 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 487th of 12526 | 6,731 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1341st of 19264 | 1,314 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4097th of 27321 | 368 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 15087th of 35406 | 76 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 15328th of 30306 | 52 |
Regional Popularity of "Melba" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Melba" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
14.27% 202nd/1416 |
29.44% 406th/1379 |
7.99% 189th/2366 |
14.19% 162nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
16.88% 261st/1546 |
40.42% 629th/1556 |
7.35% 173rd/2353 |
19.78% 306th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
30.13% 671st/2227 |
46.26% 1124th/2430 |
11.46% 327th/2853 |
25.87% 718th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
64.32% 1889th/2937 |
45.08% 1570th/3483 |
26.38% 928th/3518 |
48.52% 1962nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
47.67% 2476th/5194 |
93.73% 5921st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Melba"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Melba" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.