Mahala

An interesting and rhythmic name often heard in the Native American community; in fact,in the Gold Rush era in California and Nevada, it was so common that it became a generic English term for a Native American woman.

The great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson's birth name was actually Mahala, though she grew up being called by her nickname, Halie.

Pronounced Ma-HAIL-ah.

As of October 2026, Mahala ranked #7359 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #355 in 1882.