Dh and I were discussing names and [name]Melanie[/name] came up. I think I really like it but then I looked up the meaning and it means dark or black. My husbands last name is also the word black. Is that kind of cool or not? I’ve never really been swayed by name meanings before.
Also, do you think [name]Olivia[/name] and [name]Melanie[/name] go together?
I don’t think anyone outside of the “name nerd” community would know the meaning of [name]Melanie[/name] off hand. So, that shouldn’t matter. [name]Olivia[/name] and [name]Melanie[/name] are cute together.
I don’t think the literal meaning of a name is a deal breaker. [name]Melanie[/name] and [name]Olivia[/name] “go” together, sure… but I would assume they were mother and daughter if I saw the names together.
I think unless the meaning is very negative, it shouldn’t matter, and even then, sometimes it still shouldn’t.
That being said, [name]Melanie[/name] and [name]Olivia[/name] do go nicely together, but [name]Melanie[/name] feels very dated to me, I don’t know a single one under 20.
Funny I never really thought of [name]Melanie[/name] as dated. I don’t know many [name]Melanie[/name]'s young or old. I guess I want something less popular but not overly unique this time. It’s still on my list for now.
I think name meanings are extremely important. It’s basically like a blessing or a wish you can bestow on your child. I think it’s a great way to encourage them…it’s not a deal breaker I know a [name]Melanie[/name] who is very upbeat and funny…although I do agree with the above poster in that its a totally 80’s name…a tad boring. and the fact that it means dark would be a deal breaker for me…
I don’t think meanings are that important because no one except a name nerd would know. The kid might look it up someday like I did for my name, but it didn’t phase me really. I was just curious. I think it’s fine 
For me meaning is really important. I always belive that name influence the personality, which is proven to be true to myself.
But I never thought that [name]Melanie[/name] is a bad name just because it means dark.
If you love [name]Melanie[/name], use it. It’s a sweet name.
My advice is: pair it with a more cheerful middle name or something that reflecting your hope/prayer for her.
I’m confused as to why the meaning of dark/black is deemed negative. I mean, people have dark skin, or dark hair, and that’s likely how the name was coined. Not due to things like Dark [name]Magic[/name], or something.
[name]Adriana[/name] and [name]Adria[/name] also means Dark, same with [name]Darcy[/name] and their used just fine. Same with [name]Delaney[/name].
If you like [name]Melanie[/name], use it! The meaning isn’t negative, or a big deal in the case of [name]Melanie[/name].
It’s not a bad meaning to me, either. There’s also [name]Keira[/name], Duvessa (“dark beauty”), [name]Sable[/name], and [name]Ebony[/name].
Anyway, I think it’s cool that her first and last name would have similar meanings - but [name]Olivia[/name] throws it off because it reminds me of olive. I’d pick a middle name that had no associations with color.
i like it, and dont think most people will think hard enough to make the connection.
and in terms of it being “dated”, i don’t think it is. 25 years from now, [name]Brayden[/name] and [name]Nevaeh[/name] will probably be dated. But [name]Melanie[/name] isn’t that kind of trendy/meaningless/history-less. I know people who think [name]Sophia[/name] sounds “dated” (my great-grandmother was [name]Sophie[/name], so to my siblings it was in the category of things like [name]Gertrude[/name]), but that hasnt stopped it from gaining popularity. Some names go up and down and up the popularity charts, that’s all. [name]Melanie[/name] has a clean sound that is also undeniably feminine. i think it’s pretty!
I think meanings are important! And it’s true that your child may look up her name and decide she doesn’t like the meaning of “dark” so pair it with a name that might mean “beautiful”? But it would be really weird if her two names meant “dark” ([name]Melanie[/name]) and e.g. “light” ([name]Nora[/name])