Malia
Malia is a girls' name of Hawaiian origin meaning “calm, peaceful waters.” It ranked #349 in the United States in 2025. Malia is the Hawaiian form of Mary, meaning 'calm waters' or 'peaceful.'
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how do you pronounce Malia?
mah-LEE-ah
where does the name Malia come from?
Mainly the Hawaiian form of Mary, from Maria; in some cases it may come from a word meaning calm.
It gained national prominence when Barack and Michelle Obama named their daughter Malia. The name embodies the Hawaiian concept of peaceful coexistence with the ocean, central to island life.
how popular is this name?
Malia has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 40 years since 1977, and fell outside it for 9. It peaked at #192 in 2009, and ranked #349 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #349 |
| 2024 | #328 |
| 2023 | #273 |
| 2022 | #265 |
| 2021 | #256 |
| 2020 | #259 |
| 2019 | #262 |
| 2018 | #255 |
| 2017 | #215 |
| 2016 | #258 |
| 2010 | #301 |
| 2009 | #192 |
| 2000 | #498 |
| 1980 | #990 |
| 1977 | #933 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Malia fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Malia?
- Malia Obama (daughter of President Barack Obama)
- Malia Jones (Hawaiian surfer and model)
what names are similar to Malia?
what names go well with Malia?
Sibling names that share Malia's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Malia
What does the name Malia mean?
Malia means “calm, peaceful waters”.
What is the origin of the name Malia?
Malia comes from the Hawaiian naming tradition.
How popular is the name Malia?
Malia ranked #349 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2009, at #192, and it has spent 40 years in the top 1,000 since 1977.
Is Malia a boy or girl name?
Malia is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Malia?
Malia is pronounced mah-LEE-ah, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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