Melvin is a masculine given name and surname, likely a variant of Melville and a descendant of the French surname de Maleuin and the later Melwin. It may alternatively be spelled as

Melvyn Melvyn is a masculine given name that may refer to: * Melvyn Betts (born 1975), English cricketer * Melvyn Bragg (born 1939), British broadcaster and author * Melvyn Caplan, British Conservative politician * Mel Collins (born 1947), British saxoph ...

or, in Welsh, Melfyn and the name Melivinia or Melva may be used a feminine form. Of

Norman French Norman or Norman French (, , Guernésiais: , Jèrriais: ) is a '' langue d'oïl'' spoken in the historical and cultural region of Normandy. The name "Norman French" is sometimes also used to describe the administrative languages of '' Angl ...

origin, originally Malleville, which translates to "bad town," it likely made its way into usage in

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

as a result of the

Norman conquest of England The Norman Conquest (or the Conquest) was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army made up of thousands of Normans, Norman, French people, French, Flemish people, Flemish, and Bretons, Breton troops, all led by the Du ...

. It came into use as a given name as early as the 19th century, in English-speaking populations.

As a name

Given name

Academics

Melvin Calvin Melvin Ellis Calvin (April 8, 1911 – January 8, 1997) was an American biochemist known for discovering the Calvin cycle along with Andrew Benson and James Bassham, for which he was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He spent most of ...

(1911–1997), American chemist who discovered the Calvin cycle *

Melvin Day Melvin Norman "Pat" Day (30 June 1923 – 17 January 2016) was a New Zealand artist and art historian. Biography Day was born in Hamilton, New Zealand. At the age of eleven, Day began Saturday morning classes at Elam School of Art, University ...

(1923–2016), New Zealand artist and art historian *

Melvin Hochster Melvin Hochster (born August 2, 1943) is an American mathematician working in commutative algebra. He is currently the Jack E. McLaughlin Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Michigan. Education Hochs ...

(born 1943), American mathematician *

Melvin Konner __NOTOC__ Melvin Joel Konner (born August 30, 1946) is an American anthropologist who is the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Anthropology and of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at Emory University. Biography Raised in an Orthodox Jewi ...

(born 1946), Professor of Anthropology *

Melvin Schwartz Melvin Schwartz ( ; November 2, 1932 – August 28, 2006) was an American physicist. He shared the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics with Leon M. Lederman and Jack Steinberger for their development of the neutrino beam method and their demonstra ...

(1932–2006), American physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1988 *

Melvin Alvah Traylor, Jr. Melvin Alvah Traylor Jr. (December 16, 1915 – February 11, 2008) was an American ornithologist. He was the son of Chicago banker Melvin Alvah Traylor and Mrs. Dorothy Y. Traylor. Traylor was Lieutenant with the Marine (military), marines and ser ...

(1915–2008), American ornithologist

Businessmen

* Melvin Jones (1879–1961), businessman and founder of Lions Club * Melvin Alvah Traylor (1878–1934), American banker * Melvin T. Tukman, American asset manager, investor, philanthropist.

Performers

* Melvin Edmonds, member of R&B group After 7 *

Melvin Franklin David Melvin English (October 12, 1942 – February 23, 1995) better known by the stage name Melvin Franklin or his nickname "Blue", was an American bass singer. Franklin was best known for his role as a founding member of Motown singing g ...

(1942–1995), stage name of American bass singer David Melvin English *

Melvin Gibbs Melvin Gibbs is an American bass guitarist who has appeared on close to 200 albums in diverse genres of music. Among others, Gibbs is known for working in jazz with drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson and guitarist Sonny Sharrock, and in rock music ...

, American bass guitarist *

Melvin Odoom Melvin Kuuku Odoom (born 30 July 1980) is a British radio DJ and television presenter. Alongside Rickie Haywood-Williams and Charlie Hedges, he presented the Kiss (UK radio station), Kiss FM breakfast show (2009–2018) and since then, on BBC R ...

(born 1980), English comedian and presenter * Melvin Kaminsky (born 1926), given name of actor

Mel Brooks Melvin James Brooks (né Kaminsky; born June 28, 1926) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, and songwriter. With a career spanning over seven decades, he is known as a writer and director of a variety of successful broad farces and parodie ...

Melvin Parker Melvin Parker (June 7, 1944 – December 3, 2021) was an American drummer. He and his brother, saxophonist Maceo Parker, were key members of James Brown (musician), James Brown's band. Life and career Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina on ...

(1944–2021), American drummer who played in James Brown's band *

Melvin Van Peebles Melvin Van Peebles (born Melvin Peebles; August 21, 1932 – September 21, 2021) was an American actor, filmmaker, writer, and composer. He worked as an active filmmaker into the early 2020s. His feature film debut, ''The Story of a Three-Day Pa ...

(1932–2021), American actor and director *

Melvin Ragin Melvin M. Ragin (December 8, 1950 – October 24, 2018), known professionally as Wah Wah Watson, was an American guitarist who was a member of the Funk Brothers, the studio band for Motown Records. He also worked extensively as a session musicia ...

(1951–2018), American guitarist known as "Wah-Wah Watson" *

Melvin Rhyne Melvin Rhyne (October 12, 1936 – March 5, 2013), was a jazz organist best known for his work with Wes Montgomery. Biography Melvin Rhyne was born in Indianapolis in 1936 and started playing the piano shortly after. At 19 years old, Rhyne s ...

(1936–2013), jazz organist *

Melvin Seals Melvin Seals (born 1953 in San Francisco, California) is an American musician, best known as a longtime member of the Jerry Garcia Band. Early life and career Melvin Seals began playing piano at age eight and began his musical adventure playin ...

(born 1953), American musician *

Melvin Sia Melvin Sia (born 14 June 1979) is a Malaysian actor, model and singer. He won the Best Actor Award at the Malaysia Golden Awards for his role in '' Romantic Delicacies''. He also won Most Popular Actor in Viewers' Choice category in the same ...

(born 1979), Malaysian-Chinese actor, singer, model *

Melvin Sparks Melvin Sparks (March 22, 1946 – March 15, 2011) was an American soul jazz, hard bop and jazz blues guitarist. He recorded a number of albums for Prestige Records, later recording for Savant Records. He appeared on several recordings with mu ...

(1946–2011), American jazz guitarist *

Melvin Howard Tormé Melvin is a masculine given name and surname, likely a variant of Melville and a descendant of the French surname de Maleuin and the later Melwin. It may alternatively be spelled as Melvyn or, in Welsh, Melfyn and the name Melivinia or Melva may ...

(1925-1999), American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor, and author

Politicians

Melvin R. Laird, Sr. Melvin Robert Laird Sr. (August 7, 1878March 19, 1946) was an American businessman, Presbyterian minister, and Republican politician from Wood County, Wisconsin. He served five years as a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin' ...

(1877–1946), American politician * Melvin R. Laird (1922–2016), American politician and writer *

Melvin Maas Melvin Joseph Maas (May 14, 1898 – April 13, 1964) was a U.S. Representative from Minnesota and decorated Major general (United States), Major General of the United States Marine Corps Reserve during World War II. Early years Melvin Joseph ...

(1898–1964), U.S. Representative from Minnesota * Melvin J. Miller (1919–1974), American farmer and politician *

Melvin McQuaid Melvin James McQuaid (6 September 1911 – 16 January 2001) was a Progressive Conservative party member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was born in Souris, Prince Edward Island and became a lawyer and clerk by career. McQuaid attended ...

(1911–2001), member of the Canadian House of Commons *

Melvin Steinberg Melvin A. Steinberg (born October 4, 1933) is an American politician who served as the fifth lieutenant governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995 under Governor William Donald Schaefer. He previously served as the president of the Maryland State Sen ...

(born 1933), American politician, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995 *

Melvin ZumBrunnen Melvin ZumBrunnen (born May 27, 1941) is an American politician. He served as a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives. Life and career ZumBrunnen was born in Lusk, Wyoming. He attended Niobrara County High School and the University ...

(born 1941), American politician

Sportsmen

* Melvin Upton Jr. (born 1984), American baseball player *

Melvin Baker Melvin Clyde Baker (born August 12, 1950) is an American former professional American football, football wide receiver who played three seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New England Patri ...

(born 1950), American football player *

Melvin Booker Melvin Jermaine Booker (born August 20, 1972) is an American former professional basketball player. A , point guard, he played for the University of Missouri. Amateur career Booker was a standout high school player in Moss Point, Mississippi. ...

(born 1972), American basketball player *

Melvin Brown (footballer) Melvin Brown Casados (born 28 January 1979) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Brown made his debut in the Primera División with Cruz Azul in the 2001 Apertura, and quickly became a mainstay at defense for ...

(born 1979), Mexican football player * Melvin Bullitt (born 1984), American football player *

Melvin Cunningham Melvin Cunningham (born December 16, 1973) is a former American football defensive specialist who played two seasons with the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at Marshall University. He was also a mem ...

(born 1973), American football player *

Melvin Ejim Melvin Obinna Ejim (born March 4, 1991) is a Nigerian-Canadian professional basketball player for Unicaja of the Liga ACB. He played college basketball for Iowa State University before playing professionally in Italy, Russia and Spain, as well ...

(born 1991), Nigerian-Canadian professional basketball player *

Melvin Ely Melvin Anderson Ely (; born May 2, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player who was also an assistant coach for the Canton Charge of the NBA G League. A 6'10", , power forward– center from Fresno State, Ely was drafte ...

(born 1978), American basketball player * Melvin Fowler (born 1979), American football center *

Melvin Guillard Melvin Guillard (born March 30, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division. Guillard most notably competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator MMA and World S ...

(born 1983), American mixed martial artist *

Melvin Gordon Melvin Gordon III (born April 13, 1993) is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the Doak Walker Award as the top college running ...

American football player * Melvin Jones (American football) (born 1955), American football player *

Melvin Manhoef Melvin Manhoef (born 11 May 1976) is a retired Surinamese people, Surinamese-born Dutch people, Dutch mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and Kickboxing, kickboxer. In kickboxing, he is a former It's Showtime (kickboxing), It's Showtime Middl ...

(born 1976), Dutch kickboxer *

Melvin Mitchell Melvin Mitchell (born February 21, 1953) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman for four seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Mitchell was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and attended Tenness ...

(born 1953), American football player *

Melvin Mora Melvin Mora Diaz (born February 2, 1972) is a Venezuelan-American former professional baseball infielder. He played for the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). From his ...

(born 1972), Major League baseball player * Melvin Nieves (born 1971), baseball player * Melvin Ott (1909–1958), Major League Baseball right fielder * Melvin Platje (born 1988), Dutch football player *

Melvin Raffin Melvin Raffin (born 9 August 1998 in Bourg-la-Reine) is a French athlete specialising in the triple jump The triple jump, sometimes referred to as the hop, step and jump or the hop, skip and jump, is a track and field event, similar to long ...

(born 1998), French athlete specialising in the triple jump *

Melvin Rosen Melvin "Mel" Rosen (March 24, 1928 – March 25, 2018) was an American Track and field, track coach. He was head coach of the Auburn University Tigers track team for 28 years, from 1963 to 1991, during which time the team won four consecutive So ...

(1928–2018), American track coach *

Melvin Stewart Melvin Monroe Stewart Jr. (born November 18, 1968) is an American swimming promoter, former competition swimmer and world record-holder who won two gold medals and one bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He is the co-fo ...

(born 1968), American swimmer and Olympic medal winner *

Melvin Tarley Duncan "Melvin" Tarley (born October 31, 1982) is a Liberian former professional footballer. Career Professional Tarley first came to prominence in 2005, during Minnesota Thunder's run to the semi-finals of the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Ta ...

(born 1982), Liberian footballer *

Melvin Tong Melvin Tong Man-chung (born 19 February 1975) is a Hong Kong former professional tennis player. Tennis career Tong represented Hong Kong at the 1998 Asian Games and was a doubles bronze medalist at the 2001 National Games of China, partnering J ...

(born 1975), Hong Kong former professional tennis player *

Melvin Turpin Melvin Harrison Turpin (December 28, 1960 – July 8, 2010) was an American professional basketball player. He played five seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an All-American college player at the University of Kentucky, ...

(1960–2010), American basketball player * Melvin Valladares (born 1984), Honduran football striker * Melvin Watkins (born 1954), American basketball coach

Writers

* Melvin Jules Bukiet, American author and literary critic *

Melvin Burgess Melvin Burgess (born 25 April 1954) is a British writer of children's fiction. He became famous in 1996 with the publication of ''Junk (novel), Junk'', about heroin-addicted teenagers on the streets of Bristol. In Britain, ''Junk'' became one o ...

(born 1954), British author of children's fiction *

Melvin Frank Melvin Frank (13 August 1913 – 13 October 1988) was an American screenwriter, film producer and film director. He is known for his partnership with Norman Panama and their work on films such as '' Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House'' (1948), ...

(1913–1988), American screenwriter and film director * Melvin B. Tolson (1898–1966), American modernist poet

Others

Melvin Belli Melvin Mouron Belli (July 29, 1907 – July 9, 1996) was a United States lawyer and writer known as "The King of Torts" and by insurance companies as "Melvin Bellicose". He had many celebrity clients, including Zsa Zsa Gabor, Errol Flynn, Ch ...

(1907–1996), American lawyer known as 'The King of Torts' *

Melvin Bernhardt Melvin Bernhardt (February 26, 1931 – September 12, 2015) was an American stage and television director. He was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and much of his work has been in the New York City area. He is known for his productions of '' T ...

(1931–2015), American stage and television director *

Melvin Dummar Melvin Earl Dummar (August 28, 1944 – December 9, 2018) was a Utah man who gained attention when he claimed to have saved reclusive business tycoon Howard Hughes in the Nevada desert in 1967, and to have been awarded part of Hughes' vast e ...

(1944–2018), American hoaxer and subject of film ''Melvin and Howard'' *

Melvin Edwards Melvin "Mel" Edwards (born May 4, 1937) is an American Abstract art, abstract Sculpture, sculptor, Printmaking, printmaker, and Visual arts education, arts educator. Edwards, an African-American artist, was raised in Racial segregation in the Un ...

(born 1937) , American abstract sculptor and printmaker * Melvin N. Johnson, American academic administrator *

Melvin Purvis Melvin Horace Purvis II (October 24, 1903 – February 29, 1960) was an FBI agent instrumental in capturing bank robbers John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd in 1934. All of this would later overshadow his military career which saw him directl ...

(1903–1960), American FBI agent *

Melvin Storer Melvin Tyler Storer (17 April 1921 – 27 December 2003) was an American shipfitter, Navy diver (United States Navy), navy diver and welder who served in the United States Navy Reserve on the USS West Virginia (BB-48), USS ''West Virginia'' and ...

(1921–2003), United States Navy shipfitter *

Melvin Williams (disambiguation) Melvin Williams may refer to: * Melvin Williams (admiral) (born 1955), American naval officer * Melvin Williams (actor) (1941–2015), American actor * Melvin Williams (American football) (born 1979), American football player * Melvin Williams ...

, multiple people *

Melvin Zais Melvin Zais (8 May 1916 – 5 May 1981) was a United States Army general who served in the Second World War and Vietnam War. Military career A 1933 graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and graduat ...

(1916–1981), United States Army general

Fictional characters

Melvin Frohike ''The X-Files'' is an American science fiction television series first broadcast in September 1993 and followed by two feature films: ''The X-Files'' and '' The X-Files: I Want to Believe.'' The characters defined the overarching mythology of ...

, in the television shows ''The X-Files'' and ''The Lone Gunmen'' * Melvin Palmer, on the television show ''Boston Legal'' * Melvin the Superhero Guy, a puppet of ventriloquist Jeff Dunham * Melvin Sneedly, a character from the Captain Underpants series * Melvin Potter, also known as Gladiator, a ''Daredevil'' comics character

Surname

Allan Melvin Allan John Melvin (February 18, 1923 – January 17, 2008) was an American actor and impressionist, who was cast in hundreds of television episodes from the 1950s to the early 1990s, often appearing in recurring roles on various series. Some of ...

(1923–2008), American actor * Billy Melvin (born 1977), Scottish footballer *

Bob Melvin Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961) is an American professional baseball manager and former catcher who is the manager of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). Melvin has been named Manager of the Year three times. S ...

(born 1961), American baseball player and manager * Charles Melvin (1885–1941) British soldier and Victoria Cross recipient * Chasity Melvin (born 1976), American basketball player *

Craig Melvin Craig Delano Melvin (born May 20, 1979) is an American broadcast journalist and anchor at NBC News and MSNBC. From August 2018 until January 2025, he was a news anchor on NBC's ''Today'', in October 2018, a co-host of ''Today Third Hour'' befor ...

(born 1979), American journalist *

Daniel Wilkie Melvin Daniel Wilkie Melvin (1838 – 29 July 1916), commonly referred to as D. W. Melvin, was an auctioneer in the early days of Adelaide, South Australia. History Melvin was a son of Rev. David Melvin (died before 1861), chaplain of Tolbooth Prison ...

(1838–1916), auctioneer in South Australia *

Doug Melvin Robert Douglas Melvin (born August 8, 1952) is a Canadian front-office executive in Major League Baseball (MLB) who previously served as the general manager of the Texas Rangers (1995–2001) and Milwaukee Brewers (2002–2015). He is currently ...

(born 1952), Canadian baseball executive * Doug Melvin (rower) (1928–2021), British rower * Ed Melvin (1916–2004), American basketball player * Eileen Melvin, American businessperson *

Eric Melvin Eric Scott Melvin (born July 9, 1966) is an American musician and founding member of the punk rock band NOFX. Throughout the band's existence, he and Fat Mike were the only band members who stayed since the beginning. NOFX Melvin plays guitar an ...

(born 1966), American musician * Fordyce R. Melvin (1832–1915), American politician * G. S. Melvin (1886–1946), British pantomime dame and comedian * Henry A. Melvin (1865–1920), American judge * Isaac Melvin (1811–1853), American architect *

Jemma Melvin The Platinum Pudding is a British pudding consisting of a lemon and amaretti trifle. It was created by Jemma Melvin in 2022 for a competition celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Competition The Platinum Pudding Competition ...

, British pudding creator * Jerry G. Melvin (1929–2020), American politician *

Joan Orie Melvin Joan Orie Melvin (born April 6, 1956) is a former justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In 2013, Melvin was convicted of several criminal counts related to her use of legislative and judicial staff to perform campaign work. She is a member of ...

, American judge * Joe Melvin (1853–1909), Australian journalist * John Melvin, multiple people * Kenneth R. Melvin (born 1952), American politician and lawyer * Leland D. Melvin (born 1964), American astronaut *

Martin Melvin (businessman) Sir Martin John Melvin, 1st Baronet, JP (8 June 1879 – 11 May 1952) was a British businessman and newspaper manager, based in Birmingham. The Roman-Catholic Melvin was educated at Mount St Mary's College. In 1917 he acquired the ailing Catho ...

(1879–1952), British businessman and newspaper manager *

Martin Melvin (footballer) Martin Melvin (born 7 August 1969) was a Scottish footballer who played for Stockport County FC, Motherwell FC, Falkirk, Dumbarton Dumbarton (; , or ; or , meaning 'fort of the Britons (historical), Britons') is a town in West Dunbarto ...

(born 1969), Scottish footballer *

Mekenna Melvin Mekenna Melvin is an American actress best known for playing Alex McHugh in ''Chuck'', Angela in '' Three Rivers'' and Stefanie Fife in ''Lie to Me''. She also co-created and starred as Amber Hannold in ''Amber Lake'', an independent film release ...

(born 1985), American actress *

Mungo Melvin Major-General Robert Adam Mungo Simpson Melvin (born 1955) CB OBE is a retired British Army officer, and a military historian. He is best known for his biography of German field marshal Erich von Manstein. He is an editorial board member of th ...

(born 1955), British soldier and historian *

Murray Melvin Murray Melvin (10 August 1932 – 14 April 2023) was an English actor. A member of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop company, he originated the part of Geoffrey in Shelagh Delaney's play '' A Taste of Honey'', reprising the role in Tony Richa ...

(1932–2023), English stage and film actor * Norman C. Melvin III (born 1950), American botanist and plant ecologist * Peter Melvin (1933–2009), British architect *

Rachel Melvin Rachel Melvin (born February 9, 1985) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Chelsea Brady on ''Days of Our Lives'' (2005–2009) and as Penny in ''Dumb and Dumber To''. Early life and education Melvin was born in Elmhurst, ...

(born 1985), American actress * Rashaan Melvin (born 1989), American football player *

Randy Melvin Randy Melvin (born April 3, 1959) is an American gridiron football coach who is the defensive line coach for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Playing career High school Melvin attended Aurora West High School in Aurora, Ill ...

(born 1959), American football coach * Reine Arcache Melvin (born 1959), Filipina author * Sean Melvin (born 1994), Canadian soccer player * Thayer Melvin (1835–1906), American lawyer, politician, and judge *

Theodore N. Melvin Theodore Noble Melvin (December 1, 1846 – October 5, 1897) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. Life Melvin was born on December 1, 1846, in New York City, New York City, New York. His father was Solomon Melvin, a prominent la ...

(1846–1897), American lawyer and politician *

Tom Melvin Tom Melvin (born October 1, 1961) is an American football coach who is currently the tight ends coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in National Football League (NFL). His cousin, Bob Melvin, is manager of the San Francisco Giants. Playing career ...

(born 1961), American football coach * William L. Melvin, American engineer

References

{{given name, type=both Masculine given names English masculine given names English-language masculine given names French masculine given names German masculine given names Dutch masculine given names