Given name & surname
Malai
“from the mountain”
Malai is a variant of Malay. One Indian interpretation is “from the mountain.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Malai is a variant of Malay. One Indian interpretation is “from the mountain.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Malai is a variant of Malay. An origin associated with Malay is Indian.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 2005. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Malai through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 205
- 0 boys · 205 girls
- Most popular year
- 2020
- 17 babies
- 2025
- 9
- #10,595 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −20%
- Easing
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 9 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 10,595 among girls’ names. The recent annual counts are too incomplete to establish a ten-year comparison. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 288 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Malai’s family of names
Malai has a related form in Malay. In Greek usage, Malai as a surname is a transliteration of Μάλαϊ. In Greek usage, Malai as a surname is a transliteration of Μαλάη.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 3
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Malai, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.