Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Maleah isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1956. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Maleah through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 9,426
- 0 boys · 9,426 girls
- Most popular year
- 2009
- 508 babies
- 2025
- 187
- #1,215 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −35%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 187 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,215 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 35.0% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 508 in 2009. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (26). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 6,718 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 2
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 Maleah, 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