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Home › Baby Names Directory › Malinalli

Malinalli

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-lee-NAH-lee /mɑ.liˈnɑ.li/Medium

Meaning: From Nahuatl malinalli, 'grass' — also one of the twenty day-signs of the Aztec calendar. It was the birth name of the woman known to history as La Malinche or Dona Marina, the Nahua interpreter who worked with Hernan Cortes; she remains a deeply contested figure in Mexican history, read by some as a traitor and by others as a survivor and a mother of a new people. We note this plainly so families can choose with open eyes.Medium

In 30 seconds: Nahuatl for 'grass', and an Aztec calendar day-sign: Malinalli was also the birth name of La Malinche, a contested figure in Mexican history — we note that plainly (said 'mah-lee-NAH-lee').
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Origin MediumNahuatl
MeaningFrom Nahuatl malinalli, 'grass' — also one of the twenty day-signs of the Aztec calendar. It was the birth name of the woman known to history as La Malinche or Dona Marina, the Nahua interpreter who worked with Hernan Cortes; she remains a deeply contested figure in Mexican history, read by some as a traitor and by others as a survivor and a mother of a new people. We note this plainly so families can choose with open eyes.
U.S. rank (2024)#14559 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2010
Total births (all-time)≈ 25

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201020102024

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

Malinalli is a Nahuatl word meaning 'grass' and one of the twenty day-signs of the Aztec calendar. It is also the birth name of the Nahua woman later called La Malinche or Dona Marina, the interpreter who accompanied Hernan Cortes; she is a deeply contested figure in Mexican history — condemned by some, defended by others as a survivor with few choices. We state that honestly and without editorializing, so families can choose the name with open eyes (said 'mah-lee-NAH-lee').

In the U.S. it is very rare, chosen mostly by families honoring Nahua heritage. Indigenous, meaningful, and historically weighted.

Did you know? Malinalli is one of the twenty day-signs of the Aztec calendar, and children were often named for the day of their birth. It was also the birth name of La Malinche, whose place in Mexican history is still argued over — we note that so families know.
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Malinalli — Nahuatl malinalli 'grass'; Aztec day-sign; birth name of La Malinche (contested historical figure) — noted neutrally

Variations

MalintzinMalinaliMalinalxochitl

Nicknames

MaliNalli

Famous Bearers

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If you like Malinalli…

Citlali— a like Nahuatl heritage name
Xochitl— a like Nahuatl word-name for girls
Itzel— a like Indigenous Mesoamerican pick
Yaretzi— a like heritage name in Mexican-American use

Explore names like Malinalli

By themeheritagenahuatlhistoricalindigenous

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Malinalli mean?

Malinalli means 'grass' in Nahuatl and is one of the twenty day-signs of the Aztec calendar.

How do you pronounce Malinalli?

It's said mah-lee-NAH-lee /mɑ.liˈnɑ.li/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Malinalli a boy or girl name?

Malinalli is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Malinalli?

Malinalli is very rare in the U.S., chosen mostly by families honoring Nahua heritage.

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