Malaya
Malaya is a girl's name of Other origin.
Meaning
Free, independent.
Origin and history
Malaya is a given name derived from the Tagalog word meaning 'free' or 'independent'. It gained popularity in the United States in the 21st century, partially influenced by modern place-name and rhythmic naming trends. Today, it remains a moderately popular choice for baby girls.
Popularity in the United States
8,467 babies in the United States have been named Malaya since 1880. It ranks #1821 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #715.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.7 %)
- TX (8 %)
- FL (7.1 %)
- GA (6 %)
- OH (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 23 |
| 1980-1990 | 33 |
| 1990-2000 | 225 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,980 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,907 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,299 |
Nicknames
Laya, Maya, Mali
Fun facts
- The name directly translates to 'free' or 'independent' in Tagalog, a major language of the Philippines.
- The name saw a notable rise in U.S. usage during the 2010s and 2020s, aligning with trends favoring soft, melodic names ending in '-aya'.