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Home › Baby Names Directory › Malley

Malley

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAL-ee /ˈmæl.i/Medium

Meaning: A short modern name that reads as a spin on Molly (a pet form of Mary, 'star of the sea' or 'beloved') or as a clip of the Irish surname O'Malley. Crisp and breezy; routes uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: A breezy name: Malley reads as a spin on Molly or a clip of O'Malley (said 'MAL-ee'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowIrish, American
MeaningA short modern name that reads as a spin on Molly (a pet form of Mary, 'star of the sea' or 'beloved') or as a clip of the Irish surname O'Malley. Crisp and breezy; routes uncertain.
U.S. rank (2022)#13071 ↗ Rising
2022 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2010
Total births (all-time)≈ 203

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201019942022

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

Malley sits between a Molly spin (Mary, 'star of the sea; beloved') and a short form of the surname O'Malley. As a coinage its route is uncertain, which we note — rare in the U.S. (said 'MAL-ee').

It appears only rarely in U.S. data. Rare, breezy, and modern.

Did you know? Malley reads two ways — a fresh spin on Molly (a Mary pet form) or a clip of the Irish surname O'Malley — a crisp, modern name whose route is uncertain, which we note (said 'MAL-ee').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Malley — Molly spin / O'Malley clip; uncertain

Variations

MallieMollyMally

Nicknames

MalLey

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Malley…

Molly— the name it spins from
Mallory— a like Mal- surname name
Hadley— a like breezy -ley name
Marley— a like modern -ley pick

Explore names like Malley

By themeuncertainmodernsurname-stylebreezy
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Frequently Asked

What does the name Malley mean?

Malley reads as a spin on Molly ('star of the sea; beloved') or a clip of O'Malley; the route is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Malley?

It's said MAL-ee /ˈmæl.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Malley a boy or girl name?

Malley is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Malley?

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

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