Malea Girl
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.
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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Malea was first seen in the United States in 1954.
Malea has ranked as high as #1278 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.
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. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 5 |
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 | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2022 | 43 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2017 | 42 |
| 2016 | 48 |
| 2015 | 60 |
| 2014 | 60 |
| 2013 | 64 |
| 2012 | 73 |
| 2011 | 83 |
| 2010 | 84 |
| 2009 | 100 |
| 2008 | 80 |
| 2007 | 96 |
| 2006 | 91 |
| 2005 | 92 |
| 2004 | 76 |
| 2003 | 90 |
| 2002 | 80 |
| 2001 | 65 |
| 2000 | 61 |
| 1999 | 58 |
| 1998 | 54 |
| 1997 | 40 |
| 1996 | 31 |
| 1995 | 35 |
| 1994 | 32 |
| 1993 | 27 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1991 | 32 |
| 1990 | 29 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1988 | 18 |
| 1987 | 16 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1984 | 23 |
| 1983 | 18 |
| 1982 | 27 |
| 1981 | 27 |
| 1980 | 21 |
| 1979 | 27 |
| 1978 | 17 |
| 1977 | 16 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1975 | 10 |
| 1974 | 12 |
| 1973 | 13 |
| 1972 | 11 |
| 1971 | 12 |
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1969 | 13 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1966 | 11 |
| 1965 | 13 |
| 1964 | 10 |
| 1963 | 12 |
| 1962 | 10 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1959 | 8 |
| 1958 | 9 |
| 1957 | 14 |
| 1956 | 20 |
| 1955 | 25 |
| 1954 | 5 |