Melanie \m(e)-la-nie\ as a girl's name is pronounced MEL-a-nee. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Melanie is "black, dark-skinned". Religion: Saint Melania was a wealthy heiress and philantrophist of the fourth and fifth century who freed thousands of slaves and engaged in lifelong good works. The name was uncommon until the novel "Gone With the Wind" and its characcter Melanie Wilkes. Actresses Melanie Mayron, Melanie Griffith.
Melanie has 27 variant forms: Malaney, Malanie, Mel, Mela, Melaina, Melaine, Melainey, Melana, Melanee, Melaney, Melani, Melania, Melanney, Melannie, Melantha, Melany, Mella, Mellanie, Melli, Mellie, Melloney, Melly, Meloni, Melonie, Melonnie, Melony and Milena.
For more information, see also the related name Laine.