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 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. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

as a result of the Norman conquest of England. 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 h ...

(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 o ...

(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 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 demonstration ...

(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 Melvin Alvah Traylor (October 19, 1878 in Breeding, Kentucky – February 14, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois), the eldest of seven children of James Milton Traylor and Kitty Frances Traylor née Harvey. He was an American lawyer and banker. He wa ...

(born 1878), American banker * Melvin T. Tukman, 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 ...

(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 Odoom is a British radio DJ and television presenter. He is best known for presenting on BBC Radio 1 alongside Rickie Haywood-Williams and Charlie Hedges. Education Odoom attended the University of Bedfordshire and studied a Media Per ...

(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 ...

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's band. Life and career Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina on June 7, 1944. His drumm ...

(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 2000s. His feature film debut, '' The Story of a Three-Day Pass'' ...

(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. Career A native of Richmond, Virginia, Melvin ...

(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 musici ...

(1946–2011), American jazz guitarist

Politicians

*Melvin Irvin (1942-2014), African-American politician * Melvin R. Laird, Sr. (1877-1946), American politician * Melvin R. Laird (1922-2016), American politician and writer * Melvin Maas (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 was also President of the Maryland State Senate from Janua ...

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

Sportsmen

* Melvin Upton Jr. (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) (born 1979), Mexican football player * Melvin Bullitt (born 1984), American football player * Melvin Cunningham (born 1973), American football player * Melvin Ely (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 Mi ...

(born 1979), American football center *

Melvin Guillard Melvin Paul Guillard, Jr. (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 a ...

(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 round ...

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

Melvin Manhoef Melvin Manhoef (born 11 May 1976) is a retired Surinamese-born Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. In kickboxing, he is a former It's Showtime Middleweight Champion, and in MMA he was the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Champion. In mixed mar ...

(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 Melvin Nieves Ramos (born December 28, 1971) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1992 until 1998, and two seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball in 1999� ...

(born 1971), baseball player *

Melvin Ott Melvin Thomas Ott (March 2, 1909 – November 21, 1958), nicknamed "Master Melvin", was an American professional baseball right fielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Giants, from through . He batted left-handed an ...

(1909–1958), Major League Baseball right fielder * Melvin Platje (born 1988), Dutch football player * Melvin Rosen (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-fou ...

(born 1968), American swimmer and Olympic medal winner * Melvin Tarley (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 (born 1984), Honduran football striker * Melvin Wandelaar (born 1990), Dutch footballer * Melvin Watkins (born 1954), American basketball coach

Writers

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 Melvin Beaunorus Tolson (February 6, 1898 – August 29, 1966) was an American poet, educator, columnist, and politician. As a poet, he was influenced both by Modernism and the language and experiences of African Americans, and he was deeply inf ...

(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 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 es ...

(1944–2018), American hoaxer and subject of film ''Melvin and Howard'' * Melvin N. Johnson, 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) Melvin Williams may refer to: * Melvin Williams (admiral), American naval officer * Melvin Williams (actor) (1941–2015), American actor * Melvin Williams (American football) (born 1979), American football player * Melvin Williams (musician)

, multiple people * Melvin Zais (1916–1981), United States Army general

Fictional characters

* Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris, in the video game ''Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'' * Melvin Frohike, 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, a character from the Captain Underpants series

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 th ...

(1923–2008), American actor * Billy Melvin (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 (born 1976), American basketball player * Craig Melvin (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) (1928–2021), British rower * Ed Melvin (1916–2004), American basketball player *

Eileen Melvin Eileen Melvin, an economic development leader, is president and CEO of UMF Medical in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She was named to the PoliticsPA list of "Pennsylvania's Most Politically Powerful Women." Biography Eileen Melvin was named president ...

, American businessperson *

Eric Melvin Eric Scott Melvin (born July 9, 1966) is an American musician and founding member of the punk rock band NOFX. Melvin sings backup vocals on most NOFX songs and wrote the guitar riffs for NOFX songs such as the intro for " Leave It Alone". His v ...

(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 Isaac Melvin (1811-1853) was an American architect from Massachusetts. Melvin was born in Concord, Massachusetts in 1811. In the 1830s, he established himself as a builder in Lexington, MA, Lexington. In 1841 he relocated to Cambridge, MA, Cam ...

(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 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 the Republican Party. ...

, 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 w ...

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

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 *

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

(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 Roya ...

(born 1932), 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 the defensive line coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Playing career High school Melvin attended Aurora West High School in Aurora, Illinois and was inducted into their ...

(born 1959), American football coach * Reine Arcache Melvin (born 1959), Filipina author *

Sean Melvin Sean Melvin (born July 9, 1994) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Atlético Ottawa. Early life Melvin was born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia to parents from Vancouver. At the age of five, he began ...

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

(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