Meaning & History
Melanija is a female given name used in Lithuanian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Slovene. It is the form of Melanie adapted into these languages. The name derives from the French Mélanie, which originates from the Latin Melania, itself from Greek μέλαινα (melaina) meaning "black, dark."
The name is associated with a Roman saint of the 5th century known for her charitable acts; her grandmother bore the same name and is also recognized as a saint. In the Middle Ages, the name became common in France and later spread to England.
Notable Bearers
The most internationally known bearer is Melania Trump (born 1970, née Melanija Knavs), who served as First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and again in 2025. Other notable figures with this name include Serbian opera singer Melanija Bugarinović (1905–1986) and Latvian journalist and writer Melānija Vanaga (1905–1997).
Variants and Usage
Related forms of the name appear in multiple languages: Melánie (Czech), Melanie (German), Malani, Mel, and others in English. The nickname Mel is also used. The name's popularity in English was revived by the character Melanie Wilkes in Margaret Mitchell's novel Gone with the Wind.
- Meaning: black, dark (from Greek)
- Origin: Derived from French Mélanie and Latin Melania
- Type: Feminine given name
- Languages: Lithuanian, Macedonian, Serbian, Slovene
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Melanija