Declining since 2010, #626 for girls today.
Popularity of Maliyah since 1994
Babies named Maliyah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 316 |
| 2000s | 3,702 |
| 2010s | 7,941 |
| 2020s | 3,400 |
Meaning & origin
Maliyah is a modern name that emerged in the United States in 1994 and gained steady popularity through the 2000s, peaking in 2009. In 2025, it ranked 626th nationally, with 1 in 3,442 baby girls receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2010, aligning with a broader shift away from names with the distinctive 'yah' sound. The name saw highest usage in New Mexico, Maryland, and Mississippi, reflecting diverse regional appeal. While the precise meaning is debatable, the name's charm lies in its melodic, gentle sound and its connection to the Hawaiian Malia (calm) and the classic Mary (bitter) traditions. Maliyah fits a pattern of modern coinages that feel familiar yet fresh.
Maliyah is a modern coinage combining the popular -yah suffix with the root Mal- from names like Malia or Maria. It may be influenced by the Hawaiian name Malia (a form of Mary) meaning 'calm' or 'peaceful', or by the English name Malia, which is a variant of Maria. The name emerged in the United States in the 1990s, likely inspired by the rising popularity of similar names like Jaliyah and Aaliyah.
Where Maliyah 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.
“Maliyah” around the world
Where Maliyah 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, Yah
Sibling names for Maliyah
Names that share Maliyah's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Jaliyah, Serenity, Aaliyah, Nevaeh, Maya, Kamiyah, Zaniyah, Aaniyah, Caliyah, Jamiyah, Janiah, Laniyah, Taniyah, Zamiyah, Jaaliyah, Kaaliyah, Nakiyah, Naryah, Shaliyah, Tariyah, Tyliah, Tyliyah, Ahniyah, Annaliyah, Chaniyah, Jahliyah, Lamyah, Malajah, Neriyah, Nikiyah, Shamyah, Carliyah, Haliyah, Jahmia, Jaleeya, Jalyiah, Janiyha, Jazyiah, Joliyah, Vaniyah, Yaniyah
Brothers: Isaiah, Jayden, Elijah, Malachi, Landon, Javarius, Daeshon
Names like Maliyah
Names whose popularity has moved with Maliyah's over the last 50 years.
