Melanie vs Robyn
Melanie and Robyn compared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
New Zealand · Girls
In 1975, Melanie was ranked #8 and Robyn #80 among girls in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Melanie was ranked #885 and Robyn #19 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1974, Melanie was ranked #24 and Robyn #85 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2019, Melanie was ranked #336 and Robyn #57 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Melanie was ranked #863 and Robyn #76 among girls in England and Wales.
Melanie and Robyn over time
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Melanie and Robyn over time
Melanie and Robyn appear together in 4 published lists, across 98 years of shared records. Robyn held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Melanie in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Melanie reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Robyn in 1. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One took the other's place near the top
In New Zealand · Girls, Melanie moved into the top 50 at #28 in 1971 as Robyn fell out of it to #53, having been #40 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1971, Melanie moved ahead of Robyn in New Zealand · Girls — #52 and #40 the year before became #28 and #53.
- Longest-running competitions
Melanie and Robyn were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #863 and #76.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls43 shared years, 1982–2025
Melanie held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Robyn in 35.
Highest recorded here: Melanie #128 in 2000, Robyn #19 in 2025.
The order changed in 1991: Robyn moved ahead. In 1990 they stood at #157 and #184; by 1991 that had become #207 and #147.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Melanie #885, Robyn #19.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Melanie held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Robyn in 30.
Highest recorded here: Melanie #239 in 1996, Robyn #64 in 2023.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Melanie #863, Robyn #76.
Northern Ireland · Girls15 shared years, 1997–2019
Melanie held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Robyn in 15.
Highest recorded here: Melanie #188 in 2002, Robyn #57 in 2019.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2019: Melanie #336, Robyn #57.
New Zealand · Girls10 shared years, 1966–1975
Melanie held the stronger position in 5 of those years, Robyn in 5.
Highest recorded here: Melanie #8 in 1974, Robyn #31 in 1967.
The order changed in 1971: Melanie moved ahead. In 1970 they stood at #52 and #40; by 1971 that had become #28 and #53.
Most recent shared year, 1975: Melanie #8, Robyn #80.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Melanie
Pairs where Melanie shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Rebecca vs Melanie
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Rebecca #1 in 1976, Melanie #14 in 1977.
Rebecca · Melanie · 28 shared years, 1970–1997 · Peaked in the same years
- Sarah vs Melanie
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Girls within 2 years — Sarah #1 in 1974, Melanie #8 in 1974.
Sarah · Melanie · 29 shared years, 1966–1996 · Peaked in the same years
- Kelly vs Melanie
In 1978, Kelly moved ahead of Melanie in New Zealand · Girls — #12 and #8 the year before became #3 and #12.
Kelly · Melanie · 25 shared years, 1970–1996 · One moved ahead of the other
- Angela vs Melanie
Across 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Angela and Melanie averaged 9.6 places apart, ending at #76 and #82.
Angela · Melanie · 28 shared years, 1970–1997 · Closest over the longest run
Other comparisons involving Robyn
Pairs where Robyn shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Nicola vs Robyn
In 1996 they stood at #87 and #80 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #4201 and #76.
Nicola · Robyn · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Robyn vs Rachael
In 1996 they stood at #80 and #77 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #76 and #3705.
Robyn · Rachael · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Kelly vs Robyn
In 1996 they stood at #74 and #80 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #2006 and #76.
Kelly · Robyn · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Robyn vs Leanne
In 1996 they stood at #80 and #88 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #76 and #2006.
Robyn · Leanne · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 1970s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 1970 and 1979.
- Grace vs Sinead
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2022 they were #2 and #905.
Grace · Sinead · 58 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #8 and #896.
Grace · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Lorraine
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #21 and #896.
Sarah · Lorraine · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #3 and #873.
Grace · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Melanie | Robyn |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | A feminine variant of Robin, itself a diminutive of Robert. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Germanic, feminine diminutive form |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɹɑb.ɪn/ | |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #482 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #19 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Robyn has a recorded origin (Germanic, feminine diminutive form); Melanie does not have one recorded yet.
- Melanie has 3 syllables, compared with 2 for Robyn.
- A meaning is recorded for Robyn; Melanie doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NZ.
How each name got here
Melanie
Popularity journey
First recorded1965
First recorded at #385 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1966–1996
Highest recorded position: #8 among girls in New Zealand, in 1974 (recorded 1966–1996).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #863 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Robyn
Popularity journey
First recorded1952
First recorded at #7 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1952 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1952–1974
Highest recorded position: #6 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1953 (recorded 1952–1974).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #76 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls