Melvyn
Every Melvyn since 1912 — 4,370 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
- Melvyn Douglas Actor · 1901–1981
- Melvyn Lorenzen Soccer player · b. 1994
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
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).