Malika Girl

Popularity: #884 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-LEE-kah /mɑːˈliːkə/

Origin: Arabic; Swahili

Meaning: Arabic: 'queen'; Swahili: 'princess'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Malika has its roots in Arabic, where it is derived from the word "malikah," meaning "queen" or "ruler." This term is a feminine form of "malik," which translates to "king." The name has been adopted into various cultures and languages, often retaining its regal connotation. As Arabic spread through trade and conquest, the name Malika found its way into different regions, influencing local languages and cultures, including those in North Africa and parts of South Asia.

Historically, the name Malika has been associated with various notable figures and has appeared in literature and folklore. In Islamic tradition, the concept of queenship is often linked to strong female figures, and the name has been used to symbolize strength and leadership.

The name appears in various historical texts and has been borne by several prominent women throughout history, although specific instances may vary by region and cultural context. The spread of Islam from the 7th century onward facilitated the name's adoption across diverse cultures, where it has been embraced in various forms.

Culturally, Malika carries significant resonance, often embodying ideals of nobility and grace. In many societies, the name is associated with leadership and empowerment, reflecting the qualities of a queen.

This symbolic weight has contributed to its endurance across generations. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Mali or Lika may be used affectionately, further embedding the name into familial and social contexts.

Overall, Malika stands as a name rich in meaning and historical significance, reflecting the values and aspirations of the cultures that have embraced it.

Famous people named Malika

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

We also feature individuals named Malika 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.

Malika Haqq is a television personality best known for Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Dash Dolls, and Celebrity Big Brother.

Malika Ayane is a singer-songwriter best known for her albums Malika, Grovigli, and Naif.

Malika Favre is an illustrator and graphic designer best known for her work with The New Yorker, Vogue, and Penguin Books.

Sibling suggestions

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

AmaraZaraLaylaAminaNiaSanaa

Similar names

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

MalinaMaliaMinaMayaMiraMilaMalou

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Malika was first seen in the United States in 1966.

Malika has ranked as high as #1793 nationally, which occurred in 1996, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Malika 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 Malika 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 Malika.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 64 0 64
2024 59 0 59
2023 88 0 88
2022 82 0 82
2021 78 0 78
2020 88 0 88
2019 89 0 89
2018 80 0 80
2017 84 0 84
2016 86 0 86
2015 54 0 54
2014 80 0 80
2013 61 0 61
2012 81 0 81
2011 62 0 62
2010 52 0 52
2009 38 0 38
2008 58 0 58
2007 65 0 65
2006 57 0 57
2005 59 0 59
2004 71 0 71
2003 94 0 94
2002 84 0 84
2001 113 6 107
2000 112 5 107
1999 111 0 111
1998 117 8 109
1997 138 7 131
1996 183 0 183
1995 154 5 149
1994 145 0 145
1993 154 0 154
1992 149 0 149
1991 120 0 120
1990 126 0 126
1989 80 0 80
1988 80 0 80
1987 101 0 101
1986 73 0 73
1985 65 0 65
1984 75 0 75
1983 76 0 76
1982 73 0 73
1981 100 0 100
1980 95 5 90
1979 94 0 94
1978 117 0 117
1977 95 0 95
1976 92 0 92
1975 115 0 115
1974 106 0 106
1973 58 0 58
1972 60 0 60
1971 43 0 43
1970 39 0 39
1969 19 0 19
1967 5 0 5
1966 6 0 6

Top States for Malika (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
CA 6
33%
NY 6
33%
OH 6
33%