Declining since 2010, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Maliha since 1982
Babies named Maliha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 41 |
| 1990s | 113 |
| 2000s | 396 |
| 2010s | 642 |
| 2020s | 232 |
Meaning & origin
Maliha first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1982, a relatively recent addition that reflects the growing diversity of American naming traditions. The name reached its peak popularity in 2009, when it saw its highest recorded usage. Since 2010, however, its frequency has been declining, indicating a falling trajectory in the modern era. While the name has not yet broken into the top baby name lists in any U.S. state, it maintains a steady presence among families with Arabic heritage. With no top state rankings to date, Maliha remains a niche but meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with graceful connotations and cultural depth.
Maliha is derived from the Arabic root م ل ح (m-l-ḥ), which conveys beauty, grace, and pleasantness. The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and in Muslim communities globally, often chosen for its positive connotations of beauty and virtue.
“Maliha” around the world
Where Maliha lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mali, Liha, Mal
Sibling names for Maliha
Names that share Maliha's style, for a brother or sister.
