Malia

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-LEE-ah /məˈliː.ə/High

Meaning: Hawaiian form of Maria/Mary, from Hebrew Miryam. Also connected to the Hawaiian word for 'calm' or 'gentle seas'. In Hawaiian, Malia means 'peaceful, calm'.High

In 30 seconds: Malia is the Hawaiian form of Mary, meaning 'calm' and 'gentle seas' — a name that captures the serene beauty of the Pacific. It became widely known in the United States through Malia Obama.

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Origin HighHawaiian, Hebrew

MeaningHawaiian form of Maria/Mary, from Hebrew Miryam. Also connected to the Hawaiian word for 'calm' or 'gentle seas'. In Hawaiian, Malia means 'peaceful, calm'.

U.S. rank (2025)#349 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births872 girls (0.05% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2009

Total births (all-time)≈ 31,601

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Malia is the Hawaiian form of Maria, which traces to the Hebrew Miryam. In Hawaii, the name developed its own phonetic character and acquired the additional meaning of 'calm' or 'peaceful seas' — a reflection of the natural imagery central to Hawaiian naming culture. Hawaii, the 50th US state with deep Polynesian cultural roots, has produced several names now popular across America.

Malia gained mainstream American recognition primarily through Malia Obama (born 1998), the eldest daughter of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The family's arrival at the White House in January 2009 coincided with a sharp rise in the name's popularity. It also resonates with parents drawn to Hawaiian-themed names like Kai, Leilani, and Kaimana. Today Malia ranks in the US top 200 girls' names.

Did you know? Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of President Barack Obama, brought enormous attention to this Hawaiian name — in 2009, Malia jumped into the US top 200 girls' names almost overnight following the Obama family's arrival at the White House.

Overall data confidence 88%

Pukui, Mary Kawena. Place Names of Hawaii — Hawaiian language and naming culture contextSocial Security Administration Name Data — US popularity spike correlated with Malia Obama

Variations

MaliahMaleaMaleah

Nicknames

MaliLia

Famous Bearers

★Malia Obama (1998–)
Eldest daughter of US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

If you like Malia…

Alaia— three-syllable name with a similar Hawaiian and Polynesian feel and melodic ending

Layla— three-syllable melodic feminine name with non-Western roots and broad cross-cultural appeal

Kaia— two or three-syllable name with Scandinavian and Hawaiian resonance and the same open, breezy feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Malia mean?

Malia means 'calm' or 'peaceful seas' in Hawaiian, and is also the Hawaiian form of Maria, from Hebrew Miryam.

How do you pronounce Malia?

Malia is pronounced mah-LEE-ah (/məˈliː.ə/), three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Malia a boy or girl name?

Malia is a girl's name.

How popular is Malia?

Malia entered the US top 200 girls' names after Malia Obama's high-profile presence at the White House in 2009.