Given name & surname
Malay
“from the mountain”
Malay is used as a given name and a surname. One Indian interpretation is “from the mountain.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Indian interpretation is “from the mountain.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Indian.
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
Malay through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 117
- 0 boys · 117 girls
- Most popular year
- 2007
- 16 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 2022. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 16 in 2007. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 501 as a first name in 2020; 807 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Malay’s family of names
Malay has a related form in Malai. Malay has a related form in Malae. Malay has a related form in Malaye.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Malay, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Manasa
“having great strength of mind”
>99% girls
Malini
“a gardener”
>99% girls
Mallika
“resembling jasmine”
>99% girls
Dalai
“a peaceful man”
>99% girls
Maliha
“a beautiful woman of great strength”
>99% girls
Mythri
“one who values friendship”
>99% girls
Mitali
“a friendly and sweet woman” · “a beloved friend”
>99% girls
Lakya
“born on a Thursday”
>99% girls