Everything about the name MELBA
Meaning, origin, history
Melba is also associated with the famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, who was born Helen Porter Mitchell in Australia in 1861. She became one of the most renowned sopranos of her time and popularized the use of her birthplace's name as a stage name. The name Melba is now often thought of as being connected to the performing arts due to Dame Nellie Melba's influence.
The name Melba does not have a specific meaning or symbolism associated with it, other than its connection to Melbourne and Dame Nellie Melba. However, some people may associate it with sweetness or elegance due to its phonetic similarity to words like "melody" and "melancholy."
Despite being originally derived from a city name, Melba has become a popular given name in its own right and can be found in various parts of the world, particularly among English-speaking populations. It is often used as both a first and middle name for girls.
In terms of popularity, Melba was a relatively common name in the early to mid-20th century but has since become less frequent. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Melba ranked #1,375 most popular girl's name in 2019, with only around 160 babies named Melba that year.
Overall, Melba is a unique and historic name with a strong connection to Australia and the performing arts. Its phonetic similarity to words like "melody" gives it a musical quality, making it an appealing choice for parents who want their daughter's name to have a creative or artistic feel.
Popularity of the name MELBA since 1880
Birth evolution
Popularity analysis
Based on the provided statistics, the name Melba experienced a significant increase in popularity during its early years of use in the United States. The name first appeared with 7 births in 1893 and peaked at an impressive 102 births in 1905.
The trend continued to rise throughout the early 1900s, with Melba reaching its zenith in popularity during World War I, specifically in 1917 with 701 births. This could potentially be attributed to the patriotic fervor of the time, or perhaps it was simply due to changing tastes in naming children.
However, after 1924, the number of babies named Melba began a steady decline. By 1931, there were only 770 births, and this downward trend continued throughout the subsequent decades. The name eventually fell out of favor so much that by the late 20th century, it had become quite rare, with fewer than 10 Melbas being born each year.
Despite its decline in popularity over time, the name Melba still holds historical significance as a once-popular choice among American parents during the early to mid-20th century. As of 2022, based on available statistics, there have been a total of 34858 babies named Melba born in the United States since its first recorded appearance in 1893.