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Melanie. I'm not a big fan of music names.

Melody

Melanie was top 100 here in the 60s, 70s & 80s, along with names like Michelle & Joanne. It's nicer than those, imo, but there are a lot of adult & middle-aged Melanies around and no young ones, so it does seem dated. Melody has never had that sort of popularity so it shouldn't seem dated, but somehow it does anyway - it's a word-name so it feels a little cutesy-hippie, like Harmony. And it's a name you've heard of but don't see around, so it seems to belong to previous generations. I was surprised to see how far back it actually goes; I just came across a 16th-century example, spelt 'Melladye'.

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All that aside, I can't choose, I like both of them. Melody might edge ahead a little, just because I've never met one.

This message was edited 5/31/2015, 9:07 AM

I like them both, but Melanie wins out.

Melanie, definitely. Melody is cute but a bit too cute, and reminds me of a doll I had when I was real little; her name that she was sold under was Melody, or Magic Melody or something. You squeezed her boddy, or her arms and legs and it made kind of a honking or squeaking sound, a different note for each part.

I like Melody better, but I would much rather use Melanie- it's less insubstantial and modern, less likely to get her teased, too. I used to have a story with triplets named Mystery, Memory, and Melody. It was ridiculous, considering their other siblings were Luke, Emma, and Carmen. I could not do sibsets.

Melanie is nice but Melody has spunk! I like the way it looks better too. Much more full.

I like both, but I prefer Melanie. I dislike the nn Mel though

I prefer Melody. Maybe because I'm a musician, and in general I like music related names. I like the sound of Melody more too, Melanie makes me think of Melons when I say it, and feels just a little more awkward to say.

Hands down Melody. Several years ago Melody Mary was my favourite combo. Melody fell out of favour a little but as of today she is going back on my long list!

Hmm... Melody I think. Melanie is dignified, but a little too smooth to hold interest for me. Besides, it's dated to an era that will always seem stale to me (the gen. Just older than I am). Melody has that clunky d to give it some texture, and it's brighter. I'd also call it a virtue name. There are two girls wLki g by outside singing. Melody as a name USA consciousdecision to come out in favor of such things... Melody is also one of my favorite musical elements.
Eta: I'm not going to amend those typos. I want it to be clear I'm on mobile and that's why in so racer. Racer!!! Tacet!!!!!!!!

This message was edited 5/31/2015, 12:54 AM

Personally, I like Melody a lot more than Melanie. Melody sounds less nasal than Melanie. I also find Melanie slightly dated. Plus, Melody has a very, well, melodic sound, for lack of a better word, and I like the musical association.

I prefer Melanie. It's darker and more beautiful to me. Melody is fine, it just seems a little gimmicky and I also knew a really annoying kid named Melody and she's my only association with the name.

They are both nice names but I prefer Melanie, it's a guilty please of mine.

Melody is my choice. It's a charming and airy and so much fresher than Melanie (which I don't like on blonde babies, anyway, owing to its meaning). Normally I don't like names without a long historic pedigree but Melody is so beautiful that I make an exception for her! She's been around long enough to be considered a bona fide name, like Allegra, Aria, Jasmine, Saffron. I love the name and would probably pair it with a traditional historical name for balance.

Up until very, very recently I would have said Melody -- hands down. Then, earlier this week, they were talking about someone named Melody on the radio and the more they said it, the more I heard "m'lady" and the less I liked the name. So, Melanie 100% (though I'm not a fan of the "melon" sound).

Melanie, every time!

Melanie. Sounds more of a name. "Melody" is too out there for me and always makes me think of the word. It doesn't really SOUND namey and plus, Melody has been ultra trendy for some time now

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I much prefer Melanie

Melody

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I have always preferred Melody, even since I was a kid. I just think it's different but sweet. Melanie is okay but a bit common.

Melanie seems more elegant and timeless to me. While Melody is certainly sweet, it seems more lightweight. I do like the name very much. It reminds me of the name Daisy which I also like. Unfortunately, I probably wouldn't use either because I'd worry about how the name would be perceived.

I like both too. Melody is somehow shinier ... more attractive. But I'd rather BE a Melanie, than a Melody. Melody seems a little flakey and blunt for my style (even though it suits my taste). So I'd be more likely to actually use Melanie.

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Or maybe, I just prefer Melanie because I heard it first, and subconsciously I hear Melody as Melanie with a cold.

This message was edited 5/30/2015, 5:50 PM

I can say I prefer Melody with no trace of doubt. Excuse me for saying it, but it really is melodic, and it's bouncy and cheerful. I think, at some point in my life, I might have known a dreadful Melanie I no longer remember, as I have this idea of the being flimsy and grating, when really it should be just to my taste.

I can see the problem. At first I was like "oh totally Melanie, Melody is fluffy and soulless in comparison, it's like Brandy or Destiny" but then, there is something rather nice about Melody, it's rather, well....melodic. It's soft and friendly, and more exciting in a gentle way than Melanie. But Melanie is such a fresh-sounding classic, and it's even an epithet for various goddesses and stuff...arg.

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I think Melody is more my style, ultimately. But yeah, really tough to pick!