Given name & surname
Malea
“a ruler; the firstborn son”
Malea is a variant of Mali. One Indian interpretation is “a ruler; the firstborn son.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Malea is a variant of Mali. One Indian interpretation is “a ruler; the firstborn son.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Malea is a variant of Mali. Mali has been associated with Welsh and Indian naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1954. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Malea through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,540
- 0 boys · 2,540 girls
- Most popular year
- 2009
- 100 babies
- 2025
- 21
- #5,842 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −19%
- Easing
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 21 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 5,842 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 18.7% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 100 in 2009. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,130 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.
Malea’s family of names
Malea has a related form in Malia. Malea has a related form in Mali. In Greek usage, Malea as a surname is a transliteration of Μαλέα.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Malea, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Maliyah
Maliyah is a feminine given name, probably from Hawaiian.
>99% girls
Makayla
“who is like God?”
>99% girls
Makenna
“daughter of the handsome man” · “the son of Kenna; to ascend”
>99% girls
Melina
“as sweet as honey”
>99% girls
Madelynn
“woman from Magdala”
>99% girls
Makenzie
Makenzie is a variant of Mackenzie. Interpretations include “daughter of a wise leader; a fiery woman; one who is fair” and “the son of a wise leader; a fiery man; one who is fair”. These may reflect different naming traditions.
>99% girls
Marlee
“of the marshy meadow”
2% boys · 98% girls
Madilyn
“woman from Magdala”
>99% girls