Melva
Every Melva since 1880 — 14,185 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Melva
Melva is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 14,185 American babies have been named Melva. Its peak came in 1938, when 313 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Melva stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Melva year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | #16,878 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #17,577 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #18,339 | — | — |
| 2013 | 6 | #15,898 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | 6 | #16,885 | — | — |
| 2006 | 7 | #14,604 | — | — |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,994 | — | — |
| 2004 | 7 | #13,721 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,674 | — | — |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,519 | — | — |
| 1990 | 29 | #3,684 | — | — |
| 1985 | 14 | #5,242 | — | — |
| 1980 | 53 | #2,000 | — | — |
| 1975 | 48 | #1,892 | — | — |
| 1970 | 57 | #1,647 | — | — |
| 1965 | 110 | #993 | — | — |
| 1960 | 149 | #852 | — | — |
| 1955 | 193 | #676 | — | — |
| 1950 | 218 | #566 | — | — |
| 1945 | 233 | #470 | — | — |
| 1940 | 290 | #401 | 6 | #3,348 |
| 1935 | 276 | #382 | — | — |
| 1930 | 258 | #408 | — | — |
| 1925 | 276 | #416 | — | — |
| 1920 | 279 | #396 | — | — |
| 1915 | 207 | #420 | — | — |
| 1910 | 71 | #482 | — | — |
| 1905 | 45 | #509 | — | — |
| 1900 | 23 | #772 | — | — |
| 1895 | 16 | #808 | — | — |
| 1890 | 12 | #810 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | 6 | #807 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Melva in 2025?
Melva did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Melva?
14,185 babies have been named Melva in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Melva most popular?
Melva peaked in 1938, when 313 newborns received the name.
Is Melva a boy or girl name?
Melva is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Melva rising or falling?
Melva is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.