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Home › Baby Names Directory › Maleia

Maleia

♀ Girl

Pronounced mə-LAY-ə /məˈleɪ.ə/High

Meaning: Variant of Malia/Maleah, the Hawaiian form of Mary (Maria), traditionally linked to 'beloved' or 'bitter'Medium

In 30 seconds: Mary, island-style, freshly spelled: Maleia varies Malia — the Hawaiian Maria — flowing on warm open vowels. The Obamas put the sound on the map; spellings bloomed after.
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Origin MediumHawaiian, Hebrew
MeaningVariant of Malia/Maleah, the Hawaiian form of Mary (Maria), traditionally linked to 'beloved' or 'bitter'
U.S. rank (2025)#2880 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births59 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,186

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319562025

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

Maleia is a spelling of Malia or Maleah — the Hawaiian form of Mary (Maria), whose ancient root Miryam is read as 'beloved' or 'bitter'. The Obama daughters' fame sent the sound up the charts, and creative spellings multiplied.

It registers thinly in recent records. Rare, island-warm, and Maria-rooted.

Did you know? Malia Obama made the Hawaiian Mary a household name in 2009 — and parents responded with a reef of spellings: Maleia, Maleah, Maliyah, all the same beloved root.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Malia — Hawaiian Mary

Variations

MaliaMaleahMaliyah

Nicknames

MaliLeia

Famous Bearers

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If you like Maleia…

Malia— the standard Hawaiian Mary spelling
Maleah— the -eah sister form
Amaya— a fellow vowel-rich modern favorite
Kaia— the companion island-flavored name

Explore names like Maleia

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Maleia mean?

Maleia is a variant of Malia, the Hawaiian form of Mary, traditionally linked to 'beloved' or 'bitter'.

How do you pronounce Maleia?

It's said mə-LAY-ə /məˈleɪ.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Maleia a boy or girl name?

Maleia is a girl's name.

How popular is Maleia?

Maleia is a rare spelling in the U.S.; Malia is the familiar form.

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