Declining since 2021, #5,399 for boys today.
Popularity of Malekai since 2005
Babies named Malekai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 41 |
| 2010s | 117 |
| 2020s | 103 |
Meaning & origin
Malekai is a modern coinage that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 2005. It reached its peak popularity in 2022, but by 2025 its rank had fallen to 5,399 with about 1 in 100,475 boys receiving the name. The name is most popular in Texas, reflecting broader trends in the Southern U.S. toward distinctive, multi-syllable names. Its rising usage in the early 2020s followed a broader fashion for names like Malachi and Kai, but the trajectory has been falling since 2021. Parents may be drawn to Malekai for its strong, melodic sound and its blend of familiar elements from different cultures, though its exact etymology remains uncertain.
Malekai is a recent coinage, first recorded in the United States in 2005. It likely combines elements of the Hebrew name Malachi, meaning 'my messenger,' with the popular Hawaiian/Japanese name Kai, meaning 'sea' or 'forgiveness.' The name may also be influenced by Arabic Malik, meaning 'king.' Its rise in the 2020s reflects the trend for creative, multi-syllable names with strong consonant sounds.
Where Malekai is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mal, Kai, Malek
Sibling names for Malekai
Names that share Malekai's style, for a brother or sister.
