Mel Kaufman

Mel (Melvin) Brooks. Mel (Melvin) Torme. Mel (Melvin) Blanc. Mel (Melvin) Allen. Let's talk about Melvin!

(Before anyone names that famous antisemite, he is not a Melvin! He is simply... Mel. Moving on.)

Take a look at the four Melvins we started the profile with. Brooks: born 1926. Torme: 1925. Blanc: 1908. Allen: 1913. Truly, the early 20th century was the apex of the Jewy Melvin mountain! Strange on the surface, isn't it? There is nothing inherently Jewish about the name. Its origins are either Germanic, Irish, or Scottish, dating back a millennium. Very few Jews in those places back then, if any.

And yet, when Jews made their way to America at the turn of the 20th century, they birthed so many Melvins. And not just Melvin: Milton, Irving, Sheldon, Marvin, Norman... Do you see a pattern here?

All these names are not traditional Christian names, but they sounded very WASPy and refined. Jews who were looking for new beginnings in America, who were looking to fit in (but not come off as overtly goyishe) had their pick of these names. Of course, tradition says that Jews name their children after deceased relatives... so the initial letter was kept, and dead cousin Moishe, grandpa Mendel, or great-great-uncle Mordechai begat baby Melvin.

The irony, of course, is that currently Melvin is an "old Jewish grandpa" name, and you would get puzzled looks if someone named Melvin is not Jewish. Former Washington Redskins linebacker Mel (Melvin) Kaufman, for one.