Meleni
A girl's name of Polynesian origin with 104 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Meleni peaked during the Gen Z era, when 13 babies received this name in a single year (2004). That era was defined by globally influenced, diversity-driven naming, and Meleni remains in active use today — a name that has outlasted its original moment.
In the most recent SSA release, Meleni ranks #16809 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Meleni is a girl's baby name of Polynesian origin, possibly a Samoan or Tongan adaptation of Melanie meaning 'dark beauty,' with the -i ending giving it a warm Polynesian quality. Its three syllables have the vowel-rich musicality characteristic of Pacific Island naming.
Polynesian adaptations of Western names often create genuinely beautiful new forms. Meleni takes the Greek-derived Melanie and gives it a Pacific Island identity that feels both familiar and distinctly of the islands, with that bright final -i that characterizes many Samoan feminine names.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Meleni belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Within the Polynesian naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Polynesian names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Meleni’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Meleni was #8569 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #16809, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11 | — |
| 2010s | 12 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 74 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 7 | — |
The Story of Meleni
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2004, Meleni is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Meleni are most likely born between 1999 and 2014.
How rare is Meleni?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Meleni — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1999, peaked in the 2000s with 74 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Meleni by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(14 years, 1999–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #16809 |
| 2020 | 6 | #14525 |
| 2019 | 7 | #13330 |
| 2010 | 5 | #18914 |
| 2009 | 11 | #10429 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14867 |
| 2007 | 7 | #14940 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19076 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12618 |
| 2004 | 13 | #8569 |
| 2003 | 6 | #15124 |
| 2001 | 5 | #17035 |
| 2000 | 12 | #8373 |
| 1999 | 7 | #12212 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meleni a boy's or girl's name?
When was Meleni most popular?
How popular is the name Meleni?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1999–2024