Malea Girl

Popularity: #927 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-LAY-ah /məˈleɪ.ə/

Origin: Hawaiian; Latin

Meaning: Hawaiian: 'calm' or 'peaceful'; Latin: 'of the sea'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Malea has its roots in the Hebrew name Malia, which is derived from the Hebrew word "ma'aleh," meaning "to ascend" or "to rise." This name transitioned through various linguistic forms, eventually reaching the English-speaking world. The evolution of the name can be traced through the Greek and Latin adaptations, where it maintained its essence of elevation or ascent.

The name's journey into English likely occurred during the periods of increased cultural exchange and migration, particularly during the Renaissance when Hebrew names gained popularity due to biblical translations and the revival of classical learning. Historically, the name Malia has connections to biblical figures, although it is not directly mentioned in canonical texts.

The broader theme of ascent is significant in various religious and cultural narratives, symbolizing spiritual elevation and growth. In the context of Christianity, the concept of rising or ascending has been a prevalent theme, particularly in relation to the resurrection and ascension of Christ, which has influenced the adoption of names with similar meanings.

Culturally, names that convey notions of elevation or ascent often carry positive connotations, symbolizing hope, aspiration, and progress. This has contributed to the endurance of names like Malea and its variants across different cultures and eras.

The name may also have diminutive forms, such as Mal or Lia, which have been used in various cultures, further enhancing its appeal and versatility. Overall, the name Malea encapsulates a rich linguistic heritage and cultural significance that resonates through its meaning and historical associations.

Famous people named Malea

In this section, you will find notable people named Malea. 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 Malea who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Malea 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.

Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja is a singer best known for her performance of the national anthem at major sporting events.

Sibling suggestions

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

MaliaLeilaKaliaTaliaAmayaSelah

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Malea. 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.

MayaNiaZaraKaiaAliaSoleilLilaAmara

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Malea was first seen in the United States in 1954.

Malea has ranked as high as #3573 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Illinois.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Malea 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 Malea 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 Malea.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 21 21
2024 34 34
2023 40 40
2022 43 43
2021 45 45
2020 40 40
2019 57 57
2018 38 38
2017 42 42
2016 48 48
2015 60 60
2014 60 60
2013 64 64
2012 73 73
2011 83 83
2010 84 84
2009 100 100
2008 80 80
2007 96 96
2006 91 91
2005 92 92
2004 76 76
2003 90 90
2002 80 80
2001 65 65
2000 61 61
1999 58 58
1998 54 54
1997 40 40
1996 31 31
1995 35 35
1994 32 32
1993 27 27
1992 30 30
1991 32 32
1990 29 29
1989 17 17
1988 18 18
1987 16 16
1986 12 12
1985 13 13
1984 23 23
1983 18 18
1982 27 27
1981 27 27
1980 21 21
1979 27 27
1978 17 17
1977 16 16
1976 9 9
1975 10 10
1974 12 12
1973 13 13
1972 11 11
1971 12 12
1970 8 8
1969 13 13
1968 11 11
1967 7 7
1966 11 11
1965 13 13
1964 10 10
1963 12 12
1962 10 10
1961 5 5
1960 9 9
1959 8 8
1958 9 9
1957 14 14
1956 20 20
1955 25 25
1954 5 5

Top States for Malea (2023)

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
PA 5
100%