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Maliyah

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-LEE-yah /məˈliː.jə/High

Meaning: A variant of Malia, itself a Hawaiian and Swahili form of Mary, meaning 'beloved' or 'wished-for child'; also linked to the Hebrew Miriam tradition.Medium

In 30 seconds: A lyrical modern spelling of Malia, Maliyah blends Hawaiian warmth with a contemporary flair. It has risen steadily in the U.S. as parents seek melodic yet distinctive names.
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Origin MediumHebrew, Swahili
MeaningA variant of Malia, itself a Hawaiian and Swahili form of Mary, meaning 'beloved' or 'wished-for child'; also linked to the Hebrew Miriam tradition.
U.S. rank (2025)#626 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births467 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 15,355

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919942025

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

History & Origin

Maliyah is a modern American elaboration of Malia, the Hawaiian and Swahili form of Mary. The name Mary itself traces to the Hebrew Miryam, whose precise meaning is debated but commonly rendered as 'beloved,' 'wished-for child,' or 'sea of bitterness.'

The spelling Maliyah emerged in the late 1990s and entered the U.S. Social Security top 1000 in the 2000s, riding a broader wave of names featuring the melodic -iyah suffix. It remains most popular among African American families and in diverse urban communities.

Did you know? Maliyah gained attention in the early 2000s partly through media coverage of the Herrin twins, conjoined sisters from Utah named Maliyah and Kendra who were successfully separated in 2006.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Malia — etymology and variantsU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MaliaMaliahMaliyaMaleah

Nicknames

MaliLiaMally

Famous Bearers

  • ★Maliyah Herrin (2002–present)
    One of the conjoined Herrin twins, separated in a landmark 2006 surgery in Utah.

If you like Maliyah…

Aaliyah— shares the melodic -iyah ending and a similar rhythmic feel
Amara— fellow modern, multicultural name with a warm, lyrical sound
Kalani— shares the Hawaiian-influenced softness and three-syllable flow
Zara— another short, vibrant name popular across diverse communities

Frequently Asked

What does the name Maliyah mean?

Maliyah is derived from Malia, a Hawaiian and Swahili form of Mary, generally meaning 'beloved' or 'wished-for child.'

How do you pronounce Maliyah?

Maliyah is pronounced mah-LEE-yah /məˈliː.jə/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Maliyah a boy or girl name?

Maliyah is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Maliyah?

Maliyah has been in the U.S. top 1000 since the mid-2000s and continues to be a popular choice, particularly in diverse communities.