Declining since 2022, #3,658 for boys today.
Popularity of Malakhai since 2002
Babies named Malakhai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 74 |
| 2010s | 165 |
| 2020s | 194 |
Meaning & origin
Malakhai is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 2002, a late arrival compared to many traditional names. It reached its peak popularity in 2023, ranking 3658, with a frequency of about 1 in every 56,936 births. Since 2022, its trajectory has been falling, suggesting it may have been a brief trend. The name is most popular in Florida. Its spelling suggests a connection to Malachi, the Hebrew name meaning 'my messenger,' but it could equally be a stylish respelling of the Hawaiian Maka'i. As a recent coinage, Malakhai lacks deep historical roots, but its sound and spelling fit contemporary naming preferences for names ending in 'ai' or 'i.'
Malakhai is a recently coined spelling variant, appearing in U.S. records only since 2002. It may derive from the Hebrew name Malachi, meaning 'my messenger,' or be a respelling of the Hawaiian name Maka'i, meaning 'good' or 'excellent.' The spelling with 'kh' and 'ai' gives it a distinctive, modern feel. Its use remains rare but has seen a small uptick in the 2020s.
Where Malakhai is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mal, Kai
Sibling names for Malakhai
Names that share Malakhai's style, for a brother or sister.
