Declining since 2000, #7,133 for girls today.
Popularity of Mahala since 1880
Babies named Mahala per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mahala's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 163 |
| 1890s | 178 |
| 1900s | 145 |
| 1910s | 184 |
| 1920s | 201 |
| 1930s | 93 |
| 1940s | 123 |
| 1950s | 126 |
| 1960s | 51 |
| 1970s | 92 |
| 1980s | 120 |
| 1990s | 337 |
| 2000s | 627 |
| 2010s | 305 |
| 2020s | 144 |
Meaning & origin
Mahala is a rare name with dual origins: a Hebrew biblical name and a Native American name with possible Choctaw roots. Its U.S. usage dates back to 1880, when it first appeared in Social Security records. The name peaked in popularity in 1882, during the 1880s, when it was most common in states like Ohio. Its trajectory has been steadily falling since at least 2000, with only about 1 in 107,151 newborns receiving the name in recent years. This makes Mahala an uncommon choice today, evoking a vintage or frontier-era feel.
Mahala appears to have two distinct origins. The first is a variant of Mahalah, a Hebrew name meaning 'tenderness' or possibly 'sickness', found in the Old Testament. The second is a name used among some Native American groups, notably the Choctaw, where it may derive from a word meaning 'woman'. It was occasionally used in the United States during the 19th century, peaking in popularity in the 1880s.
Where Mahala is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Maha, Hala, Mahi
Sibling names for Mahala
Names that share Mahala's style, for a brother or sister.
