Holding steady, #3,067 for girls today.
Popularity of Mahalia since 1880
Babies named Mahalia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2020, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mahalia's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 20 |
| 1890s | 46 |
| 1900s | 42 |
| 1910s | 79 |
| 1920s | 76 |
| 1930s | 35 |
| 1940s | 96 |
| 1950s | 124 |
| 1960s | 126 |
| 1970s | 75 |
| 1980s | 107 |
| 1990s | 396 |
| 2000s | 429 |
| 2010s | 387 |
| 2020s | 332 |
Meaning & origin
Mahalia is a name of Hebrew origin with biblical roots, first recorded in the U.S. in 1880. Despite its early appearance, it has never reached widespread popularity, with a rank of 3,067 in 2025 (1 in 30,326 births). The name experienced no major revival; its trajectory has been stable. Its peak year in the data remains 1880. Mahalia is most commonly found in California. The name is forever linked to Mahalia Jackson, the "Queen of Gospel," whose powerful voice made the name iconic. For parents drawn to melodious, spiritual names with a strong cultural touchstone, Mahalia offers a unique blend of tradition and individuality.
Mahalia is a variant of Mahalah, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of a daughter of Hammoleketh (1 Chronicles 7:18). The Hebrew root חלה (ḥ-l-h) suggests 'disease' or 'sickness', but the name's meaning is uncertain. It gained prominence in the 20th century through the legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who popularized the name in the United States.
Where Mahalia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mahalia” around the world
Where Mahalia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mahli, Lia, Maya
Sibling names for Mahalia
Names that share Mahalia's style, for a brother or sister.
