Declining since 2010, #1,211 for girls today.
Popularity of Maleah since 1956
Babies named Maleah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 15 |
| 1960s | 29 |
| 1970s | 83 |
| 1980s | 207 |
| 1990s | 561 |
| 2000s | 2,925 |
| 2010s | 4,115 |
| 2020s | 1,491 |
Meaning & origin
Maleah entered U.S. naming records in 1956, but its modern rise began in the 1990s. It reached its peak rank of 1,211 in 2009, with about 1 in 8,595 girls receiving the name that year. Since 2010, its usage has been falling, reflecting a broader shift away from creatively spelled variants of classic names. Maleah has been most popular in Arkansas, Alabama, and Pennsylvania, suggesting a pattern of regional preference in the South and Mid-Atlantic. The name's connection to the Hawaiian Malia gives it a melodic, island-inspired feel, while its familiar root in Mary provides a sense of tradition. Parents drawn to names like Kaia or Sienna may find Maleah a fitting choice.
Maleah is a modern English variant of Malia, which itself is a Hawaiian form of Mary. Mary ultimately comes from the Hebrew name Miriam, meaning 'bitter' or, alternatively, 'beloved' or 'wished-for child.' Maleah emerged in the mid-20th century in the United States, influenced by the popularity of Hawaiian names and the fashionable '-ea' or '-ah' suffix. It gained moderate use from the 1990s onward.
Where Maleah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Leah, Mali, Mal
Sibling names for Maleah
Names that share Maleah's style, for a brother or sister.
