Melrose, derived from the Old English 'Mere' meaning 'lake' and 'ros' signifying 'hedge or bush', is a unisex given name of English origin. It gained popularity in the United States during the late 19th century but has since become less common. Melrose is also associated with the Scottish town of Melrose, which was founded by King David I in the 12th century and is home to the historic Melrose Abbey. The name Melrose has been used for both males and females throughout history, with notable bearers including American actress Melrose Bickerstaff and English cricketer Melrose Stewart. However, it is more commonly associated with females today. In literature, the name Melrose appears in works such as 'Melrose and Clover' by Ruth Sawyer and 'The Melrose Sketchbook' by Edward Lear.
The name Melrose had a peak of popularity during the early 20th century with six births recorded in both 1915 and 1916. There was another notable rise in its usage around the late 1920s, with nine births occurring in 1921, seven in 1927, and eight in 1929. Despite some fluctuations over time, Melrose has maintained a consistent presence among baby names, with a total of 51 births recorded between 1915 and 1947.