Fun Facts About the Name Melchizedek
- 445 babies named Melchizedek: U.S. records list 445 babies given the name Melchizedek from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Melchizedek Mean?
Melchizedek comes from the Hebrew name מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק (Malki-tsedeq). It is a compound of malki, "my king" (from melekh, "king," with the first-person suffix -i), and tsedeq, "righteousness" or "justice." Read plainly, the name means "my king is righteousness." The traditional Jewish and Christian rendering, repeated in the Epistle to the Hebrews, is "king of righteousness" - a customary interpretation rather than a word-for-word translation.
The first element is debated. Because malki carries a possessive suffix, some scholars read the name as "my king is Zedek," taking Ṣedeq as the name of a Canaanite deity rather than an abstract noun. Others treat the -i as an old, no-longer-literal feature of West Semitic naming. The Hebrew components are agreed on; the precise force of the first element is not certain.
Melchizedek Name History & Origins
Melchizedek appears in the Hebrew Bible as king of Salem and "priest of God Most High" (El Elyon), who brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram in Genesis 14:18 - 20. Salem was later identified with Jerusalem. Psalm 110:4 addresses a Davidic king with the words "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek," a line that gave the figure lasting importance in Jewish and Christian thought.
The name passed into Greek as Μελχισεδέκ (Melchisedek) and into Latin as Melchisedech. English Bibles use "Melchizedek" when transliterating the Hebrew and "Melchisedec" when following the Greek, as in the King James Version of the New Testament.
A Dead Sea Scrolls text known as 11QMelchizedek (the Melchizedek Scroll) portrays Melchizedek as a heavenly figure who proclaims release and executes judgment. The New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews (chapter 7) makes him a central type: it notes that Scripture records no genealogy, birth, or death for him, and argues that his priesthood, which blessed Abraham before Levi was born, is superior to the Levitical priesthood.
As a personal name, Melchizedek is used in Christian communities and remains uncommon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints calls its higher order of priesthood the Melchizedek Priesthood, after the biblical figure.
How Popular is the Name Melchizedek?
Melchizedek has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #4,103 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,103 | 26 | 0.0015% |
| 2024 | #4,808 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 2023 | #6,768 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2022 | #6,048 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2021 | #5,703 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2020 | #5,610 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2019 | #4,293 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2018 | #5,241 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2017 | #8,599 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2016 | #5,253 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 2015 | #5,901 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2014 | #5,399 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2013 | #5,104 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2012 | #9,416 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2011 | #6,466 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2010 | #6,261 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2009 | #5,993 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2008 | #5,967 | 15 | 0.0007% |
| 2007 | #8,675 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #7,814 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2005 | #6,489 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2004 | #6,024 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2003 | #6,127 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2002 | #8,186 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #7,304 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2000 | #6,667 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1999 | #8,421 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1998 | #6,148 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1997 | #5,944 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #8,630 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1995 | #9,808 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #7,489 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | #9,668 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #9,035 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1985 | #7,221 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #6,073 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1973 | #5,606 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Melchizedek Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have psychic power. You can carry on for others with joy. You have a receptive nature and may bear burdens for others. You are pragmatic, thorough, strong-willed, practical and stubborn at times. You are hard working, often martyr to duty. You like home and security above all. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Melchizedek's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Melchizedek's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.