This page is historical. Follow this link for the current version.
Dictionary of Medieval Names
from European Sources

Melchior m. Of uncertain origin, possibly Old Persian.

The traditional name of one of the three Magi. Wycliffite Bible (1395):

The name became popular in the 16th C.

England
Dutch
1572 Melchiore AuFr Asse
1571 Melssens AuFr Asse
Estonia
Middle Low German
1524x1532 Meildo (nom) Saareste1923a p. 104; 1592 Melck Tiik1977 p. 287, Meldo ibid. p. 287, Melens ibid. p. 287, Melest ibid. p. 287, Mello ibid. p. 287, Mely ibid. p. 287
Germany
Early New High German
1497 Melchor Nurn1497 447
Italy
Latin
1527 Melchior (nom) Rome1527 p. 87
Spain
Latin
1490 Melchioris (gen) carbonell p. 46; 1491 Melchior (nom) ibid. p. 57, Melchioris (gen) ibid. p. 61
Catalan
1510 Melchior valencia1510 3420
Spanish
1567 Melchor SanzSerrano
Cite as: R. Le Get, J. Uckelman, S.L. Uckelman. "Melchior". In S.L. Uckelman, ed. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Edition 2016, no. 1. http://dmnes.org/2016/1/name/Melchior.