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Home › Baby Names Directory › Malai

Malai

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-LY /mɑˈlaɪ/Medium

Meaning: Variously from the Thai malai, 'a garland of flowers', and the Sanskrit malaya, 'a mountain/a sandalwood range'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A garland of flowers; a mountain: Malai is Thai/Sanskrit. Lyrical, modern, and warm (said 'mah-LY'). Routes layered.
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Origin LowThai, Sanskrit
MeaningVariously from the Thai malai, 'a garland of flowers', and the Sanskrit malaya, 'a mountain/a sandalwood range'; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#10595 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 205

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202020052025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Malai comes variously from the Thai malai, 'a garland of flowers', and the Sanskrit malaya, 'a mountain/a sandalwood range' (routes layered, which we note). A lyrical, modern name (said 'mah-LY').

In the U.S. it appears in Thai and South Asian families. Rare, a-garland-and-a-mountain at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Malai is variously 'a garland of flowers' (Thai) and 'a mountain' (Sanskrit malaya) — a lyrical, modern name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'mah-LY').
Overall data confidence 28%
References — Malai — Thai/Sanskrit; routes layered

Variations

MalayMalayaMalie

Nicknames

Mala

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Malai…

Malaya— a kin form
Malia— a sound-neighbor Mal- girls' name
Malaika— a fellow Mal- girls' name
Narai— a fellow Thai choice
Meera— shares Malai's Sanskrit roots

Explore names like Malai

By themeuncertainsanskritthai

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Malai mean?

Malai is variously Thai 'a garland of flowers' and Sanskrit 'a mountain'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Malai?

It's said mah-LY /mɑˈlaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Malai a boy or girl name?

Malai is a girl's name here (it is also used for boys).

How popular is Malai?

Malai is a very rare name in the U.S.

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