melnyk

Melnyk is a surname of Ukrainian origin. It derives from the Ukrainian word melnyk, meaning miller, and denotes an occupational surname for someone who operated a mill. The form in Ukrainian is Мельник. Variants across languages and transliteration systems include Melnyk, Melnik, and Melnick. In Russian, the equivalent surname is Melnikov or Melnik.

The surname is widespread in Ukraine and among Ukrainian diaspora communities in North America and Europe. It is also found in Russia, Belarus, and other regions influenced by Slavic migration, reflecting historical movement and settlement patterns. Notable bearers of the name come from diverse fields such as politics, academia, sports, and the arts. Because Melnyk is a common surname, it is not associated with a single defining tradition or lineage. In contemporary use, Melnyk may appear as a spelling in various countries and may be found in organizations or contexts named after individuals bearing the surname, though such instances are typically traceable to family origins.