The nameMalia

Malia is a girl's name of Hawaiian origin, the Hawaiian form of Mary. Malia Obama made it known in the 2000s.

Meaning

Malia is the Hawaiian form of Maria, Mary, from the Hebrew Miryam.

Origin

Hawaiian. Hawaiian has no letter r, so Maria becomes Malia.

History

Malia rose in the United States after 2008, when Malia Obama, elder daughter of President Barack Obama, moved to the White House. It reached the American top 200.

Famous people named Malia

Popularity of the name Malia

Malia in the United States

326thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
2009peak year (1,700 births)
30,729babies named Malia in the United States since 1880
08501,700 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Malia was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 11,138 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named Malia. Its rise began around 1991, and it peaked in 2009. Half of all babies named Malia in the United States were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,132 births a year.

Malia in the United Kingdom

702ndmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2023peak year (99 births)
808babies named Malia in the United Kingdom since 1997
05099 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Malia was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 428 births over the decade, 53% of all recorded babies named Malia. Its rise began around 2005, and it peaked in 2023. Half of all babies named Malia in the United Kingdom were born before 2020, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 75 births a year on average, against 47 in the five years before.

Malia in France

223rdmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
2023peak year (380 births)
4,305babies named Malia in France since 1900
0190380 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Malia in Switzerland

49thmost popular girls' name in Switzerland in 2025
2024peak year (137 births)
1,287babies named Malia in Switzerland since 2000
069137 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Malia

Names from the same generation as Malia, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Malia? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Malia with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Malia side by side with the name of your choice.

Malia in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Malia mean?

Malia is the Hawaiian form of Maria, Mary, from the Hebrew Miryam.

What is the origin of the name Malia?

Hawaiian. Hawaiian has no letter r, so Maria becomes Malia.

Is Malia a girl's or a boy's name?

Malia is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Malia?

In 2024, Malia was the 326th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 946 births.

What are the variants of the name Malia?

Variants and related names of Malia include Maria and Mary.

What are good sibling names for Malia?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Leila, Anaya, Jane and Liana for a sister, Lukas, Kieran, Ali and Ibrahim for a brother.

Who are famous people named Malia?

Malia Obama, filmmaker; Malia Jones, surfer and model.