Holding steady.
Popularity of Malvina since 1880
Babies named Malvina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Malvina's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 136 |
| 1890s | 182 |
| 1900s | 159 |
| 1910s | 375 |
| 1920s | 330 |
| 1930s | 152 |
| 1940s | 125 |
| 1950s | 99 |
| 1960s | 48 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 24 |
| 2010s | 28 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Malvina is a name of literary origin, coined by 18th-century Scottish poet James Macpherson for his Ossianic poems. It has never been common but saw its peak popularity in 1883, when it ranked highest among the few years it appeared in the top 1000. Despite its poetic roots and melodic sound, the name has remained extremely rare in modern times, with no rank in recent years. Its usage has been stable at a very low level, and it is not associated with any particular U.S. states. For those drawn to names with a romantic, historical feel, Malvina offers a distinctive choice with clear Scottish heritage.
Malvina is a literary name coined by the Scottish poet James Macpherson in the 18th century for his Ossianic poems. He derived it from Scottish Gaelic elements 'mala' meaning 'eyebrow' and 'mhin' meaning 'smooth', thus 'smooth brow'. The name was popularized in the English-speaking world by Sir Walter Scott and other Romantic writers, and saw particular use in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is now rare, mostly encountered in historical or literary contexts.
“Malvina” around the world
Where Malvina lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mally, Vina, Mal
Sibling names for Malvina
Names that share Malvina's style, for a brother or sister.
