Declining since 2009, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Maaliyah since 2000
Babies named Maaliyah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 130 |
| 2010s | 132 |
| 2020s | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Maaliyah is a modern American name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 2000, part of a wave of inventive, phonetically appealing names ending in '-iyah.' Its peak year was 2009, and since then its usage has been falling. The name is often considered a variant of Maliyah, which can be traced to Arabic roots meaning 'queen' or 'princess,' though the spelling Maaliyah is distinctly English. As of 2025, it ranks 13,208th, with roughly 1 in every 267,878 baby girls receiving the name. While it has not charted in any top states, its appeal lies in its melodic sound and modern feel. Parents drawn to names like Aaliyah or Jaliyah may find Maaliyah a distinctive alternative.
Maaliyah is a modern American respelling of names like Maliyah or Malia, which themselves derive from Arabic roots meaning 'queen' (malikah) or 'princess'. The name first appeared in U.S. records around 2000, reflecting a trend of phonetic, -iyah-ending names. While some sources suggest a direct Arabic origin, the spelling Maaliyah is an English adaption without deep historical use in Arabic-speaking regions.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mali, Lee, Yah
Sibling names for Maaliyah
Names that share Maaliyah's style, for a brother or sister.
