Given name
Malaya
“an independent woman; one who is free”
Malaya is used as a given name. One Spanish interpretation is “an independent woman; one who is free.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Spanish interpretation is “an independent woman; one who is free.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Spanish.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1977. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Malaya through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 8,467
- 0 boys · 8,467 girls
- Most popular year
- 2014
- 449 babies
- 2025
- 351
- #775 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −11%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 351 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 775 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 10.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 449 in 2014. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (37). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 5,161 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.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Malaya, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Marron
Marron is a surname from French. It is used in English and French.
>99% girls
Izabella
“my God is bountiful”
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Zelaya
“field”
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Ximena
“one who listens well” · “one who is heard”
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Layana
Layana is a feminine given name from Spanish. It is used in French.
>99% girls
Aitana
“the glorious one”
>99% girls
Marfil
Marfil is a surname from Spanish. It is used in Spanish, Tagalog, and Hiligaynon.
>99% girls
Alessia
Alessia is used as a given name. Alessia is connected with Alexia.
>99% girls