Malikah

Meaning & origin

Malikah first appeared in U.S. records in 1968 but remains relatively rare. Its peak popularity came in 1977, after which it gradually declined. By 2025, the name had a rank of 13,208 and a 1-in-267,878 usage rate. The trajectory has been falling since 1992, reflecting a long-term decrease in adoption. Unlike many similar-sounding Arabic names, Malikah has not seen a modern revival. It is rarely recorded in any single state, indicating even distribution across the country rather than regional concentration. As a feminine form of Malik, it carries a clear and noble meaning of 'queen', which appeals to parents seeking a direct and powerful name with cultural roots in the Arabic-speaking world.

Malikah is a feminine variant of Malik, derived from the Arabic root m-l-k meaning 'to possess' or 'to rule'. It directly translates to 'queen' and has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally. The name gained some visibility in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century as a less common alternative to Malika or Malak.