What does Malia mean and where does it come from?
Malia is of Hawaiian origin and means 'calm' or 'peaceful.' The name gained popularity in the United States, especially after the naming of Malia Obama, daughter of former President Barack Obama. It is often used in various forms within Hawaiian culture and has connections to the name Mary in its He
Cultural significance
Malia has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of calm, peaceful.
Peak popularity
Reached #192 in 2009 — currently #273 in the US.
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Related Reading
American-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Malia?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Malia?
Malia works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Malia Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Malia Rose
Floral · soft ending
Malia Mae
Sweet · timeless
Malia Claire
French influence · crisp
Malia Jane
Literary · strong
Malia Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Malia right now?
Declining — down 8 spots — currently #273 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #273 | 1,146 | ▼ down 8 · -4% births |
| 2022 | #265 | 1,191 | ▼ down 9 · -1% births |
| 2021 | #256 | 1,204 | ▲ up 3 · +4% births |
| 2020 | #259 | 1,162 | ▲ up 55 · +13% births |
| 2015 | #314 | 1,027 | ▼ down 13 · -4% births |
| 2010 | #301 | 1,073 | ▲ up 117 · +45% births |
| 2005 | #418 | 741 | ▲ up 79 · +37% births |
| 2000 | #497 | 541 | ▲ up 360 · +138% births |
| 1995 | #857 | 227 | ▲ up 246 · +43% births |
| 1990 | #1103 | 159 | ▲ up 8 · +22% births |
| 1985 | #1111 | 130 | ▼ down 121 · -13% births |
| 1980 | #990 | 149 | ▲ up 234 · +59% births |
| 1975 | #1224 | 94 | ▲ up 328 · +49% births |
| 1970 | #1552 | 63 | ▼ down 77 · +11% births |
| 1965 | #1475 | 57 | — |
The story of Malia
Malia entered American naming records in 1919 and has been in use for over 105 years. A total of 26,192 babies have received this name. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #1079 in 1955 to #273 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Malia in 2009:
Malia by decade
Malia peaked in the 2000s. See all 2000s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1910s | 5 | |
| 1940s | 5 | |
| 1950s | 323 | |
| 1960s | 449 | |
| 1970s | 1,026 | |
| 1980s | 1,442 | |
| 1990s | 2,477 | |
| 2000s | 8,202 | |
| 2010s ★ | 11,101 | |
| 2020s | 1,162 | |
What are good nicknames for Malia?
CROATIAN
MajaMareMaricaMarijetaMašaMojca
CZECH
MadlenkaMajaMarikaMáša
What names sound and feel like Malia?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Malia also consider these
How is Malia written in other languages?
Common questions about the name Malia
What does the name Malia mean?
Malia means "calm, peaceful" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Malia?
Malia is currently ranked #273 in the United States as a girl name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.
What is the cultural origin of Malia?
Malia originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Malia?
Malia is a three-syllable name pronounced M AA1 L IY0 AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Malia?
Malia pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar American heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.