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 which may refer to:
* Melvyn Betts (born 1975), English cricketer
* Melvyn Bragg (born 1939), British broadcaster and author
* Melvyn Caplan, British Conservative politician
* Melvyn Douglas (1901-1981), American ...
or, in Welsh, Melfyn and the name Melivinia or Melva may be used a feminine form. Of
Norman French
Norman or Norman French (, french: Normand, Guernésiais: , Jèrriais: ) is a Romance language which can be classified as one of the Oïl languages along with French, Picard and Walloon. The name "Norman French" is sometimes used to descri ...
origin, originally Malleville, which translates to "bad town," it likely made its way into usage in
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
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, Duchy of Brittany, Breton, County of Flanders, Flemish, and Kingdom of France, French troops, ...
.
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, 1912 – 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 hi ...
(1911–1997), American chemist who discovered the Calvin cycle
*
Melvin Day (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 of Mathematics at the University of Michigan.
Education
Hochster attend ...
(born 1943), American mathematician
*
Melvin Konner
__NOTOC__
Melvin Joel Konner (born 1946) is an American anthropologist who is the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Anthropology and of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at Emory University. He studied at Brooklyn College, CUNY (1966), where ...
(born 1946), Professor of Anthropology
*
Melvin Schwartz (1932–2006), American physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1988
*
Melvin Alvah Traylor, Jr. (1915–2008), American ornithologist
Businessmen
*
Melvin Jones (1879-1961), businessman and founder of Lions Club
*
Melvin Alvah Traylor (born 1878), American banker
*
Melvin T. Tukman
Melvin T. Tukman is an American asset manager, investor and philanthropist. He is the co-founder and president of Tukman Grossman Capital Management, an investment firm based in Larkspur, California. He has managed capital for the International Mon ...
, American asset manager, investor, philanthropist.
Performers
*
Melvin Edmonds
After 7 is an American R&B group founded in 1987 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and their friend Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the older siblings of pop/R&B singer-songwriter and record producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, w ...
, 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, American bass guitarist
*
Melvin Odoom (born 1980), English comedian and presenter
* Melvin Kaminsky (born 1926), given name of actor
Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks (born Melvin James Kaminsky; June 28, 1926) is an American actor, comedian and filmmaker. With a career spanning over seven decades, he is known as a writer and director of a variety of successful broad farces and parodies. He began h ...
*
Melvin Parker (1944–2021), American drummer who played in James Brown's band
*
Melvin Van Peebles (1932–2021), American actor and director
*
Melvin Ragin (1951–2018), American guitarist known as 'Wah-Wah Watson'
*
Melvin Rhyne (1936–2013), jazz organist
*
Melvin Seals (born 1953), American musician
*
Melvin Sia (born 1979), Malaysian-Chinese actor, singer, model
*
Melvin Sparks (1946–2011), American jazz guitarist
Politicians
*Melvin Irvin (1942-2014), African-American politician
*
Melvin R. Laird, Sr.
Melvin Robert Laird Sr. (August 7, 1878 – March 19, 1946) was an American politician, businessman and clergyman.
Born in Maysville, Illinois, Laird received his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, his masters from Princeton U ...
(1877-1946), American politician
*
Melvin R. Laird
Melvin Robert Laird Jr. (September 1, 1922 – November 16, 2016) was an American politician, writer and statesman. He was a U.S. congressman from Wisconsin from 1953 to 1969 before serving as Secretary of Defense from 1969 to 1973 under Presi ...
(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 of the United States Marine Corps Reserve during World War II.
Early years
Melvin Joseph Maas was born in Duluth, Minne ...
(1898–1964), U.S. Representative from Minnesota
*
Melvin J. Miller
Melvin J. Miller (May 19, 1919 – November 15, 1974) was an American politician and farmer.
Miller was born in Mott, Hettinger County, North Dakota. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Miller lived in Randall, ...
(1919-1974), American farmer and politician
*
Melvin McQuaid (1911–2001), member of the Canadian House of Commons
*
Melvin Steinberg (born 1933), American politician, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995
Sportsmen
*
Melvin Upton Jr.
Melvin Emanuel Upton Jr. (born August 21, 1984), known as B. J. Upton, is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Pad ...
(born 1984), American baseball player
*
Melvin Baker
Melvin Clyde Baker (born August 12, 1950) is a former American football wide receiver who played three seasons in the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Houston Oil ...
(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 fo ...
(born 1979), Mexican football player
*
Melvin Bullitt
Melvin Terry Bullitt (born November 13, 1984) is a former American football defensive back. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and played for the team for five seasons. He played college football at Texas A ...
(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 Ely
Melvin Anderson Ely (; born May 2, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player who used to be an assistant coach for the Canton Charge of the NBA G League.
A 6'10", , power forward–center from Fresno State, Ely was drafted ...
(born 1978), American basketball player
*
Melvin Fowler
Melvin Thaddeus Fowler, Jr. (born March 31, 1979) is a former American football center. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland.
Fowler has been a member of the Minne ...
(born 1979), American football center
*
Melvin Guillard (born 1983), American mixed martial artist
*
Melvin Gordon
Melvin Gordon III (born April 13, 1993) is an American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin, and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first roun ...
American football player
*
Melvin Jones (American football)
Melvin Earl Jones (born September 27, 1956) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins.
He played college football at the University of Houston and was drafted in the seventh roun ...
(born 1955), American football player
*
Melvin Manhoef (born 1976), Dutch kickboxer
*
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 h ...
(born 1972), Major League baseball player
*
Melvin Nieves (born 1971), baseball player
*
Melvin Ott (1909–1958), Major League Baseball right fielder
*
Melvin Platje
Melvin Platje (; born 16 December 1988) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for AFC.
Career Early career
Before joining FC Volendam, Platje played in the youth departments of FC Omniworld and SV Huizen. He later moved t ...
(born 1988), Dutch football player
*
Melvin Rosen
Melvin "Mel" Rosen (March 24, 1928 – March 25, 2018) was an American 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 Southeastern Confere ...
(1928–2018), American track coach
*
Melvin Stewart (born 1968), American swimmer and Olympic medal winner
*
Melvin Tarley
Duncan "Melvin" Tarley (born October 31, 1982) is a Liberian professional Association football, 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. ...
(born 1982), Liberian footballer
*
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
Melvin Yovany Valladares Castillo (born 14 July 1984) is a Honduran football striker who currently plays for F.C. Motagua in the Honduran Liga Nacional.
Club career
Valladares made his professional debut for Municipal Valencia on 6 August 20 ...
(born 1984), Honduran football striker
*
Melvin Wandelaar (born 1990), Dutch footballer
*
Melvin Watkins
Melvin Lenzo Watkins (born November 15, 1954) is an American college basketball coach and former player. He has also been the associate head coach at the University of Missouri. He served as interim head coach during the end of the 2006 season, but ...
(born 1954), American basketball coach
Writers
*
Melvin Burgess (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 prominent United States lawyer, writer, and actor known as "The King of Torts" and by insurance companies as "Melvin Bellicose". He had many celebrity clients, including Zsa Zsa Gab ...
(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 ''The ...
(1931-2015), American stage and television director
*
Melvin Dummar (1944–2018), American hoaxer and subject of film ''Melvin and Howard''
*
Melvin N. Johnson
Melvin N. Johnson is an American academic administrator. He served as the seventh president of Tennessee State University, a historically black public university in Nashville, Tennessee, from 2005 to 2011.
Early life
Johnson grew up in Savannah, ...
, American academic administrator
*
Melvin Purvis
Melvin Horace Purvis II (October 24, 1903 – February 29, 1960) was an American law enforcement official and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent. Given the nickname "Little Mel" because of his short, frame, Purvis became noted for leadi ...
(1903–1960), American FBI agent
*
Melvin Williams (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Melvin Zais
Melvin Zais (May 8, 1916 – May 7, 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 gradu ...
(1916–1981), United States Army general
Fictional characters
*
Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris, in the video game ''Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas''
*
Melvin Frohike
The following is a list of characters on ''The X-Files'', 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.'' These characters ...
, in the television shows ''The X-Files'' and ''The Lone Gunmen''
*
Melvin Palmer
'' Boston Legal'' is an American legal- comedy-drama created by David E. Kelley. The series, starring James Spader, with Candice Bergen, and William Shatner, was produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television for the ABC. ''Boston Lega ...
, on the television show ''Boston Legal''
*
Melvin the Superhero Guy, a puppet of ventriloquist Jeff Dunham
*
Melvin Sneedly
''Captain Underpants'' is an illustrated children's novel series by American author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. The series revolves around two fourth graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, living in Piqua, Ohio, and Captain Underpants, a ...
, a character from the Captain Underpants series
Surname
*
Allan Melvin (1923–2008), American actor
*
Billy Melvin
William John Melvin (born 22 June 1977) is a former Scottish footballer who played for Clydebank and Dumbarton
Dumbarton (; also sco, Dumbairton; ) is a town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, on the north bank of the River Clyde where the ...
(born 1977), Scottish footballer
*
Bob Melvin
Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961) is an American former professional baseball player and coach, who is the manager of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has been named Manager of the Year three times.
Selected in t ...
(born 1961), American baseball player and manager
*
Charles Melvin
Charles Melvin VC (2 May 1885 – 17 July 1941) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
The Medal
Priv ...
(1885–1941) British soldier and Victoria Cross recipient
*
Chasity Melvin
Chasity Melvin (born May 3, 1976) is a retired American professional basketball player, originally from Roseboro, North Carolina.
A 6'3" (1.90 m) forward, Melvin entered the WNBA in 1999, and played for the Cleveland Rockers, the Washington My ...
(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. In August 2018, he became a news anchor on NBC's ''Today'' and, in October 2018, a co-host of ''Today Third Hour'' before being made ...
(born 1979), American journalist
*
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 a ...
(born 1952), Canadian baseball executive
*
Doug Melvin (rower)
Douglas V Melvin (born 1928, died 5 May 2021) was a British rower who twice won the Wingfield Sculls, the amateur sculling championship of the River Thames.
Melvin was born at Lancaster. He took a job there with the Electricity Board, and was w ...
(1928–2021), British rower
*
Ed Melvin
Edward Michael Melvin (born Ed Milkovich; February 13, 1916 – July 30, 2004) was an American professional basketball player. He played in the Basketball Association of America for the Pittsburgh Ironmen during the 1946–47 season.
After his ...
(1916–2004), American basketball player
*
Eileen Melvin, American businessperson
*
Eric Melvin (born 1966), American musician
*
Fordyce R. Melvin (1832–1915), American politician
*
G. S. Melvin
George Spence Melvin (20 February 1886 – 2 December 1946) was a Scottish music hall comedian and noted pantomime dame.
Biography
Melvin was born in Old Machar, Aberdeen, Scotland. His father was a stage actor and producer, and Melvin firs ...
(1886–1946), British pantomime dame and comedian
*
Henry A. Melvin
Henry Alexander Melvin (September 28, 1865 – April 24, 1920) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California from September 28, 1908 to December 1920.
Biography
Melvin was born at Springfield, Illinois, on September 28, 1865, t ...
(1865–1920), American judge
*
Isaac Melvin (1811–1853), American architect
*
Jemma Melvin, British pudding creator
*
Jerry G. Melvin
Jarrett Green "Jerry" Melvin (July 22, 1929 – February 19, 2020) was an American politician in Florida.
Melvin was born in Bonifay, Florida. He was an alumnus of the College of Charleston, American University of Washington, and Eglin Air Force ...
(1929–2020), American politician
*
Joan Orie Melvin, American judge
*
Joe Melvin
Joseph Dalgarno Melvin (15 August 1852 – 26 June 1909) was a Scottish-born journalist and editor, mainly based in Melbourne, Victoria.
History
Melvin was born in Banff, Scotland, a son of John Melvin (ca.1829 – 21 September 1905), and his wi ...
(1853–1909), Australian journalist
*
John Melvin, multiple people
*
Kenneth R. Melvin
Kenneth Ronald "Ken" Melvin (born September 18, 1952) is an American politician, lawyer and jurist.
Career
Melvin was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
He served as a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Portsmouth f ...
(born 1952), American politician and lawyer
*
Leland D. Melvin
Leland Devon Melvin (born February 15, 1964) is an American engineer and a retired NASA astronaut. He served on board the Space Shuttle ''Atlantis'' as a mission specialist on STS-122, and as mission specialist 1 on STS-129. Melvin was named t ...
(born 1964), American astronaut
*
Martin Melvin
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
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Mekenna Melvin
Mekenna Melvin (born January 23, 1985) 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 ...
(born 1985), American actress
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Mungo Melvin (born 1955), British soldier and historian
*
Murray Melvin
Murray Melvin (born 10 August 1932) is an English actor. He is best known for his acting work with Joan Littlewood, Ken Russell and Stanley Kubrick. He is the author of two books: ''The Art of Theatre Workshop'' (2006) and ''The Theatre Royal, ...
(born 1932), English stage and film actor
*
Norman C. Melvin III
Norman C. Melvin III (born July 11, 1950) is a botanist and plant ecologist.
Education and career
In South Carolina, Melvin graduated in 1973 from Presbyterian College with B.S. in biology and in 1976 from Clemson University with M.S. in botany. I ...
(born 1950), American botanist and plant ecologist
*
Peter Melvin
Peter Anthony Paul Melvin, ''RIBA'' (19 September 1933 – 17 November 2009), was an English architect. His work over a period of fifty years evolved from large-scale Brutalist projects to small-scale made-to-measure designs. He was a vice- ...
(1933–2009), British architect
*
Rachel Melvin (born 1985), American actress
*
Rashaan Melvin
Rashaan DeMarcus Melvin (born October 2, 1989) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Northern Illinois, and signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
College career
Melvin started 27 ...
(born 1989), American football player
*
Randy Melvin (born 1959), American football coach
*
Reine Arcache Melvin
Reine Arcache Melvin is a Filipina-American author whose works focus on the Philippines and the lives of Filipino both at home and abroad. Arcache Melvin's works include the short-story collection ''A Normal Life and Other Stories'' and novel ''T ...
(born 1959), Filipina author
*
Sean Melvin (born 1994), Canadian soccer player
*
Thayer Melvin
Thayer Melvin (November 15, 1835 – November 9, 1906) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Melvin served as the fourth Attorney General of West Virginia from January 1, 1867, until July 1, 1869, and ...
(1835–1906), American lawyer, politician, and judge
*
Theodore N. Melvin (1846–1897), American lawyer and politician
*
Tom Melvin (born 1961), American football coach
*
William L. Melvin, American engineer
See also
*
Melvyn Melvyn is a masculine given name which may refer to:
* Melvyn Betts (born 1975), English cricketer
* Melvyn Bragg (born 1939), British broadcaster and author
* Melvyn Caplan, British Conservative politician
* Melvyn Douglas (1901-1981), American ...
, a list of people with the given name
*
Justice Melvin (disambiguation) Justice Melvin may refer to:
* Henry A. Melvin, associate justice of the Supreme Court of California
*Joan Orie Melvin, associate justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
*Ridgely P. Melvin, associate justice of the Maryland Court of Appeals
Th ...
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