Mahala Girl

Popularity: #933 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-HAH-lah /məˈhɑːlə/

Origin: Hebrew; Native American

Meaning: Hebrew: tender; Native American: a woman who is a leader

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Mahala has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "mahalah," which translates to "trembling" or "to dance." This term appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the context of the daughters of Zelophehad, who are mentioned in the Book of Numbers, around the 13th century BCE. The name's journey into English likely occurred through the transliteration of Hebrew texts into Greek and Latin, eventually making its way into Old French before being adopted into Middle English.

The name Mahala has been used in various forms across different cultures, often retaining its original meaning related to movement or dance. Throughout history, Mahala has been associated with various cultural and religious narratives.

In the biblical context, the daughters of Zelophehad, including Mahala, played a significant role in advocating for women's rights to inherit property, which marked a notable moment in the legal history of ancient Israel. This association with strong female figures has contributed to the name's enduring resonance in certain communities, particularly among those with Jewish heritage.

In addition to its biblical significance, the name Mahala has been embraced in various cultural contexts, often symbolizing grace and vitality. The name has also been linked to traditional practices and celebrations that emphasize dance and movement, reinforcing its original meaning.

While diminutive forms or variations of Mahala may exist, the name itself has maintained a distinct identity throughout its historical journey, reflecting both its linguistic roots and cultural significance.

Famous people named Mahala

In this section, you will find notable people named Mahala. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mahala who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Mahala who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Mahala N. H. M. is a singer-songwriter best known for her work in the indie music scene and her album 'The Light.'.

Mahala is a musician best known for her contributions to the folk and acoustic genres.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mahala, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MayaMiraMaliaMina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mahala. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MakalaMirellaMalinaMaliaMahinaMireyaMireille

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Mahala was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Mahala has ranked as high as #4267 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

In the past 5 years the name Mahala has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Mahala is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mahala was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mahala.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 15 15
2024 25 25
2023 25 25
2022 30 30
2021 26 26
2020 23 23
2019 20 20
2018 27 27
2017 40 40
2016 28 28
2015 27 27
2014 31 31
2013 27 27
2012 32 32
2011 32 32
2010 41 41
2009 55 55
2008 60 60
2007 53 53
2006 74 74
2005 64 64
2004 58 58
2003 72 72
2002 63 63
2001 57 57
2000 71 71
1999 68 68
1998 51 51
1997 50 50
1996 35 35
1995 31 31
1994 26 26
1993 19 19
1992 17 17
1991 19 19
1990 21 21
1989 13 13
1988 11 11
1987 11 11
1986 6 6
1985 12 12
1984 12 12
1983 6 6
1982 16 16
1981 9 9
1980 24 24
1979 14 14
1978 13 13
1977 16 16
1976 8 8
1975 7 7
1974 8 8
1972 8 8
1971 6 6
1970 12 12
1969 5 5
1968 6 6
1966 9 9
1964 8 8
1963 5 5
1962 13 13
1961 5 5
1959 13 13
1958 6 6
1957 9 9
1956 12 12
1955 12 12
1954 13 13
1953 12 12
1952 17 17
1951 13 13
1950 19 19
1949 9 9
1948 9 9
1947 19 19
1946 20 20
1945 9 9
1944 5 5
1943 5 5
1942 21 21
1941 15 15
1940 11 11
1939 9 9
1938 8 8
1937 11 11
1935 7 7
1934 13 13
1933 9 9
1932 11 11
1931 9 9
1930 16 16
1929 16 16
1928 13 13
1927 20 20
1926 19 19
1925 25 25
1924 19 19
1923 31 31
1922 17 17
1921 18 18
1920 23 23
1919 13 13
1918 21 21
1917 24 24
1916 18 18
1915 24 24
1914 16 16
1913 26 26
1912 19 19
1911 11 11
1910 12 12
1909 16 16
1908 15 15
1907 19 19
1906 22 22
1905 13 13
1904 9 9
1903 14 14
1902 11 11
1901 9 9
1900 17 17
1899 10 10
1898 22 22
1897 17 17
1896 17 17
1895 14 14
1894 19 19
1893 17 17
1892 21 21
1891 22 22
1890 19 19
1889 13 13
1888 23 23
1887 17 17
1886 13 13
1885 17 17
1884 13 13
1883 20 20
1882 25 25
1881 13 13
1880 9 9

Top States for Mahala (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
OH 5
50%
KY 5
50%