Given name & surname · also Hawaiian
Melia
Melia is a feminine given name. It is used in English, Asturian, and Hawaiian.
Meaning & origin
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with Hawaiian and Greek naming traditions.
How it developed
In Asturian usage, Melia is a diminutive of Amelia. In English use, Melia is a diminutive of Amelia. The shared background comes through Amelia: One explanation treats Amelia as a cross between Emilia and Amalia. The resemblance to both names is part of the proposal, but the precise stages by which the spelling developed remain uncertain.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1890. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Melia is a diminutive of Amelia. The history of Amelia gives this family its wider story. Henry Fielding used Amelia for the heroine and title of his 1751 novel, giving the name a clear eighteenth-century literary association. Amelia’s earlier development is less certain.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Melia through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5,321
- 0 boys · 5,321 girls
- Most popular year
- 2006
- 198 babies
- 2025
- 70
- #2,527 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −15%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 70 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 2,527 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 14.7% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 198 in 2006. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (10). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 4,704 as a first name in 2020; 1,963 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Melia’s family of names
In Asturian usage, Melia is a diminutive of Amelia. Melia has a related form in Meliah. Melia has a related form in Meelia.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Melia has relatives in 3 languages. Lines run from its Ancient Greek roots to each of them.
2 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 7
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 4
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Melia
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Melia, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Lila
“born at night” · “resembling a lily”
>99% girls
Ophelia
“help” · “one who offers help to others”
>99% girls
Haidee
“a modest woman; one who is well-behaved”
>99% girls
Hilary
“a cheerful woman; bringer of joy”
2% boys · 98% girls
Sophie
“having great wisdom and foresight”
>99% girls
Vanessa
“resembling a butterfly”
>99% girls
Sandrica
“helper and defender of mankind”
>99% girls
Heeni
“God is gracious”
>99% girls