Melani

Melani is a short form of the female first name Melanie and is also found as a variant in Modern Greek and Spanish. The origin of the name lies in the late Roman Melania.

What does the name Melani mean?

The name Melani, as a short form of Melanie, originates from the ancient Greek term melanía, which means 'blackness.' Therefore, Melani can be translated as 'the black one' or 'the dark one.' In Germany, the spelling Melani is relatively unusual compared to the French variant Melanie.

Where does the name Melani come from?

The first name Melani has Greek roots and means 'the black one' or 'the dark one.' The etymological components of the ancient Greek word are mélas (μέλας), meaning 'black' or 'dark,' and melanía (μελανία), meaning 'blackness.' The name is widespread in various languages such as German, English, Greek, and Spanish.

How do you pronounce Melani?

The pronunciation of Melani is three syllables and fluid. In German, it is typically pronounced as 'Me-la-ni' [mɛˈlaːni]. The beginning with an open E sound conveys brightness, the long A in the middle provides warmth, and the bright I at the end gives the name a light touch. Overall, it results in a friendly, melodic sound that feels feminine and modern.

When is the name day of Melani?

The name day for Melani is celebrated on December 31.

Popularity

In Germany, Melani is among the popular first names and currently ranks 1,630th on the list of the most common female names. The name achieved its best placement in 2021, when it reached 1,456th place. Over the last ten years, Melani has been chosen as a first name around 170 times, placing it 1,784th for the decade. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,060th.

Nicknames & pet names

Meca / Mel / Mela / Meli / Melly / Melo

Famous people

• Melani Costa (swimmer from Spain)
• Melani García (Eurovision Junior Song Contest)
• Melani Marcantonio (German handball player)