Melville - name meaning and origin

The boy's name Melville \m(e)-lville, mel-ville\ is of Old French origin, and its meaning is "bad settlement". Surname adopted by those fleeing to Scotland from a poorly placed settlement in northern France. Use as a personal name may be due to the fame of novelist Herman Melville (19th century), author of Moby Dick.

For more information, see also the related name Melvin.

Similar baby names are Colville and Manville.

Melville is a very rare male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Melville. Compare Melville with related baby names.