Malia

Malia rose up the charts back in 2009 when it was brought into the spotlight as the name of the Obama's eldest daughter. It leapt into the US Top 200, and while it hasn't reached that level of popularity again, it now sees steady usage, and is given to around 1100 girls every year.

Lilting but grounded too, Malia is the Hawaiian variant of Mary or Maria. Meaning "bitter", "beloved" or "wished for" depending on which translation theory you follow, it could work as a fresh way to honor a Grandma Mary.

Malia Obama was named to honor her father's childhood home state of Hawaii, but Malia also has ties to Ancient Greece. The name of several towns across Crete, Greece, and Cyprus, it is said to have meant "hair" or "sheep".

Malia might also be used as a diminutive of international Amalia, meaning "vigorous and brave", which, all in all, makes it a versatile name choice.

Popular in France and Switzerland, Malia is also climbing the charts in the UK, and now has a number of spelling variations such as Maleah, Maliyah and Mahlia.

Pronounced mah-LEE-ah .

As of October 2026, Malia ranked #349 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #192 in 2009, Nameberry popularity #830.