Malia
Malia is a girl's name of Hawaiian origin.
Meaning
Calm, peaceful, or beloved; the Hawaiian form of Mary.
Origin and history
Malia is a classic Hawaiian name, functioning both as a traditional name meaning 'calm' or 'peaceful' and as the Hawaiian form of Mary or Maria. It gained widespread national visibility in the United States during the late 2000s and remains a popular choice for girls.
Popularity in the United States
31,606 babies in the United States have been named Malia since 1880. It ranks #809 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #291.
States where it is most popular
- CA (18.3 %)
- HI (6.5 %)
- FL (5.8 %)
- TX (5.2 %)
- NY (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 5 |
| 1950-1960 | 323 |
| 1960-1970 | 449 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,027 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,442 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,477 |
| 2000-2010 | 8,205 |
| 2010-2019 | 11,140 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,533 |
Famous people named Malia
- Malia Obama: Filmmaker
- Malia Jones: Surfer, Model
Nicknames
Mali, Lia
Fun facts
- The name experienced a notable rise in U.S. popularity following the 2008 election of Barack Obama, whose eldest daughter is named Malia.
- In Hawaiian culture, Malia is closely associated with calm waters and serenity alongside its link to the name Mary.