Girl name · Greek
Melody
“song, sweet singing”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Melody.
Explore Melody further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Melody — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Melody is Greek melōidia — melos (song, limb, member) plus aoidē (singing) — literally a singing of tunes. The odē half is the same word as ode, and it appears again in comedy, tragedy, parody and rhapsody.
It entered English as a given name in the twentieth century rather than the medieval period, which puts it with Harmony and Cadence in the small group of names taken from music theory. It sits at number 79 in the US.
Mel is the short form and era-neutral. Three syllables want one (Melody Rose, Melody Wren). On our vibe map it is Soft & Dreamy with a Whimsical lift.
More Greek names
Melody sits in our Greek set — these share its roots.
All Greek names →Melody — common questions
Is Melody a boy or girl name?
Melody is traditionally a girl name of Greek origin.
What does the name Melody mean?
Melody means “song, sweet singing” of Greek origin. Melody is Greek melōidia — melos (song, limb, member) plus aoidē (singing) — literally a singing of tunes. The odē half is the same word as ode, and it appears again in comedy, tragedy, parody and rhapsody.
Where does the name Melody come from?
Melody is Greek in origin. It entered English as a given name in the twentieth century rather than the medieval period, which puts it with Harmony and Cadence in the small group of names taken from music theory. It sits at number 79 in the US.
What are common nicknames for Melody?
Mel and Lodi — the short-forms parents most often use for Melody.
How popular is Melody?
Melody did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Melody you might want for the nursery.