How Many People Are Named Melvin?

Complete statistics for the name Melvin: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Melvin
Rare
Old English

Melvin, a rare male name with origins tracing back to Old English, stands out among 1 in 3,056 Americans. With an estimated 107,968 people named Melvin living today, it's clear this name has a dedicated following. Interestingly, 80% of those named Melvin are over 60, making it a name often associated with older generations.

~18,641
Living in US
1 in 17,781
Americans
1928
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Strength, work
🌐
Origin
Old English
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 3
Personality Traits
Determined Hardworking
3
Life Path Number

People with the life path number 3 are known for their creativity and ability to inspire others.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

107,968
Worldwide Bearers
#2,067
Global Rank
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England
7,805
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
7,116
🇿🇦 South Africa
6,446
🇮🇳 India
5,771
🇳🇱 Netherlands
3,893
🇻🇪 Venezuela
3,135
🇿🇲 Zambia
3,068
🇬🇭 Ghana
2,922
🇲🇾 Malaysia
2,700
🇮🇩 Indonesia
2,127

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
106,962 (99%)
♀ Female
1,006 (1%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 79
13,215
Would be under 30 (5%)
35,650
Would be 30–60 (14%)
197,847
Would be over 60 (80%)

All 246,712 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1928

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Declining

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
100
Classic Feel
94
Modern Appeal
6
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Melvin Through the Generations

Melvin has seen its peak popularity in 1928 when 4,311 babies were given this name. Over the decades, the name has become less common, but it still holds a special place in American history. Today, the majority of people named Melvin are over 60, with 13,215 under-30, 35,650 aged 30-60, and 197,847 over 60. This age distribution paints a picture of a name that's deeply rooted in the past yet cherished by many.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

Texas 14,445
New York 13,990
Pennsylvania 12,861
Illinois 12,723
California 11,589
Ohio 10,475
North Carolina 9,224
Virginia 8,977
Georgia 8,805
Michigan 8,780

✨ Similar Names to Melvin

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Melvin's Old English roots

📄 About the Name Melvin

How Many People Have the Name Melvin?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 18,641 people in the United States currently share the name Melvin. That works out to roughly 1 in every 17,781 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.

Is Melvin a Common or Rare Name?

Melvin is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Melvin Mean?

Melvin means "strength, work" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 3.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Melvin in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.

When Was Melvin Most Popular?

The name Melvin reached peak popularity in 1928, with 4,311 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Melvin?

Approximately 18,641 people named Melvin live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 18,641. That works out to roughly 1 in 17,781 Americans.

Is Melvin a rare name?

Melvin is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 17,781 Americans has this name.

What does the name Melvin mean?

Melvin means "strength, work" and comes from Old English origins.

Is Melvin more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Melvin are male and 1% are female.

When was Melvin most popular?

Melvin peaked in 1928 with 4,311 births that year. Current trend: Declining.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US18,641
All-Time Births18,641
1 in X1 in 17,781
RarityRare
GenderMale
Avg Age79
Peak Year1928
World Rank#2,067
Male %99%
Female %1%

Check the statistics for any first or last name

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.