These similar sounding names, with their own origins and meanings, are currently experiencing very different levels of popularity among parents seeking out the perfect name for their child. And you may be surprised by which one is popular now and which one isn’t!
Name 1: Melody
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Song
Pronunciation: Mel-ah-dee or Mel-oh-dee
Nicknames: Mel, Dee
Current Rank: #137
Trending: Steady upward rise
Our Take: Melody surprised us with its popularity, though it shouldn’t have by how steadily popular this name has been for the past 20 years. It first entered the top SSA names in 1942 at 523 and has worked its way up and up the list with time. The name’s greatest association is music itself. There are no currently-famous Melodys that immediately jump to mind, though that could change at any moment. For now, it’s a blank slate–a perfect opportunity to make your mark on it.
Name 2: Elodie
Origin: French, from the ancient Germanic
Meaning: Foreign riches
Pronunciation: El-ah-dee or El-oh-dee
Nicknames: Ellie, Elle, Dee
Rank: Not currently ranked by the SSA
Trending: N/A
Our Take: How is it that this name hasn’t cracked the top 1000 SSA names, now or ever? Maybe we’re just surrounded by too many Elodie-lovers, but we see this name everywhere! Our best guess is that Elodie will make its way into the top 1000 baby names in the very near future, but for now, it seems to still be off the grid. It’s an uncommon way to get to nickname Ellie if Eleanor isn’t for you.
The Verdict
This is a great example of names that sound alike but feel very different, probably because Melody is a “word name,” while Elodie doesn’t conjure any specific “thing.”
Star’s pick: Elodie (even though I named my childhood cat Melody)
Lynda’s pick: Elodie
Melody is perfect for those looking for musical inspiration. And its steady hold in the top 1000 seems to indicate this might be one of those sweet-spot names that’s never too popular, never too trendy. But Elodie wins us over just a bit more, with its French elegance and its familiar but fresh sound (even though it’s just one “M” short of Melody). It’s unusual enough to feel timeless.
Agree or disagree? Let us know! Vote for your favorite, and tell us why in the comments!
My cousin and his wife named their first daughter Elodie. I had never heard it before. Even once they announced the name it was printed. I thought it was pronounced el-OH-dee with the emphasis being on the second syllable. I thought that was……. well, I thought that interseting (I’m being kind here. I thought it was odd, but not my child or choice). Anyway, once I was set straight it changed everything. I thought “oh that’s beautiful.” It’s close enough to Melody to not be “weird” (sorry, I’m very opinionated about baby names), but different enough to be unique. I guarantee this name is going to rise in popularity quickly.
P.S. I loved “Smelly Melly” too. Aka. Mellaburrito. 🙂