Melanie
MEH-luh-nee
A graceful name from the Greek root for “black” or “dark,” later associated with mourning and the goddess Melania.
Meaning
Melanie comes through the Latin Melania from Greek melas, meaning “black” or “dark.” In 19th-century name books, it is also explained as meaning “one in mourning,” reflecting its association with Melania and related classical tradition. The name is often linked to a solemn, elegant feeling rather than a literal color sense alone.
Origin
GreekLatinfeminine
Fun fact
One excerpt notes that the correct English-Latin form is Melania, and that Melanie is a later spelling variant.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names, Girls' Names and Name-Day and Birthday Book.