Melvin

Meaning of Melvin

Melvin is thought to mean 'gentle chieftain' or 'chief'. It can also be a place name.

Melvin has Scottish roots — browse every Scottish baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Melvin

After ranking as high as #315 in 2002, Melvin has fallen out of the US top 1,000 as of 2025.

Notable people named Melvin

• Melvin Van Peebles
  Filmmaker, playwright, composer
• Melvin Capital
  Hedge fund (defunct)
• Melvin Guillard
  Mixed martial artist
• Melvin Ingram
  NFL player
• Melvin Belli
  Attorney, 'King of Torts'

More Scottish names

Questions about the name Melvin

What does the name Melvin mean?

Melvin means melvin is thought to mean 'gentle chieftain' or 'chief'. it can also be a place name, and it comes from Scottish origins.

Is Melvin a boy's or a girl's name?

Melvin is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Melvin?

Melvin did not appear in the top 1,000 baby names in 2025, which makes it a genuinely uncommon pick.

When was Melvin most popular?

Melvin peaked at #315 in 2002.