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The name Melánia is the Slovak and Hungarian form of the Latin Melania, itself derived from the ancient Greek name Melania, from the root melas meaning black or dark. It was borne by two notable early Christian saints, Melania the Elder and Melania the Younger, both wealthy Roman noblewomen of the fourth and fifth centuries who gave up their fortunes for ascetic religious life. The name spread through Catholic Europe largely through veneration of these saints. Related forms include Melanie in French and English, Melania in Italian and Spanish, and Melanija in South Slavic languages.