Melvyn: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Melvyn

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1938

293 babies

All-time total

4,370

#1,952 all-time among boys

First recorded

1912

in Social Security records

Melvyn popularity over time

4,370 babies have been named Melvyn since 1912, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	136	136	14	–	#1,195
1920s	5	398	403	40	+196%	#921
1930s	–	1,329	1,329	133	+230%	#323
1940s	5	1,503	1,508	151	+13%	#339
1950s	–	275	275	28	-82%	#1,155
1960s	–	208	208	21	-24%	#1,502
1970s	–	118	118	12	-43%	#2,216
1980s	–	95	95	10	-19%	#3,197
1990s	–	75	75	8	-21%	#5,255
2000s	–	130	130	13	+73%	#4,434
2010s	–	59	59	6	-55%	#8,007
2020s (to 2025)	–	34	34	6	-4%	#6,895

The story of Melvyn

Melvyn 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 1912, 4,370 American babies have been named Melvyn. Its peak came in 1938, when 293 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 Melvyn stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Melvyn?

The median living Melvyn is about 77 years old; half are between 54 and 84. An estimated 1,900 people named Melvyn are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Melvyn 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	–	–	–	–
2023	–	–	5	#13,492
2022	–	–	6	#11,808
2021	–	–	11	#7,425
2020	–	–	12	#6,895
2019	–	–	10	#8,007
2018	–	–	–	–
2017	–	–	5	#13,595
2016	–	–	7	#10,371
2015	–	–	5	#13,385
2014	–	–	–	–
2013	–	–	6	#11,687
2012	–	–	8	#9,419
2011	–	–	9	#8,540
2010	–	–	9	#8,564
2009	–	–	9	#8,761
2008	–	–	18	#5,188
2007	–	–	14	#6,155
2006	–	–	20	#4,628
2005	–	–	13	#6,103
2004	–	–	7	#9,604
2003	–	–	11	#6,569
2002	–	–	18	#4,434
2001	–	–	12	#5,903
2000	–	–	8	#7,942
1995	–	–	7	#7,526
1990	–	–	10	#5,255
1985	–	–	6	#6,256
1980	–	–	14	#3,197
1975	–	–	6	#5,226
1970	–	–	12	#2,827
1965	–	–	16	#2,047
1960	–	–	29	#1,510
1955	–	–	33	#1,331
1950	–	–	39	#1,155
1945	–	–	78	#689
1940	–	–	254	#359
1935	–	–	90	#622
1930	–	–	38	#1,147
1925	–	–	54	#921
1920	–	–	24	#1,578
1915	–	–	16	#1,856
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Melvyn

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Melvyn Douglas American actor (1901–1981) Contemporary
2 Melvyn Lorenzen Ugandan footballer (born 1994) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Melvyn, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Melvyn?

The median living Melvyn is about 77 years old. Half of all living Melvyns are between 54 and 84 years old.

How many people named Melvyn are alive today?

An estimated 1,900 people named Melvyn are alive in the United States, based on 4,370 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Melvyn mean?

Spelling variant of Melvin.

How popular is the name Melvyn in 2025?

Melvyn 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 Melvyn?

4,370 babies have been named Melvyn in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Melvyn most popular?

Melvyn peaked in 1938, when 293 newborns received the name.

Is Melvyn a boy or girl name?

Melvyn is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Melvyn rising or falling?

Melvyn is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Melvyn?

Well-known people named Melvyn include Melvyn Douglas (actor), Melvyn Lorenzen (soccer player).

Names like Melvyn

Names that sound and feel close to Melvyn: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Melvyn with similar names → More names starting with M →