How to say it
ma · LI · a
məˈliː.ə
Feminine
Malia
Hawaiian Mary
What it means
The Hawaiian form of Mary or Maria, also linked to a sense of calm.
Malia is the Hawaiian form of Mary, taking the ancient Miriam root and giving it an island lilt. It carries a gentle, calm feel and flows beautifully. It rose sharply on the US mainland during the Obama presidency, thanks to Malia Obama, the former president's elder daughter. It keeps company with Maya, Amaya, and the Hawaiian Leilani. Said ma-LEE-a.
How to spell Malia
The standard spelling is Malia. Common variants include Maliyah, Maliah, Malea, but Malia is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #192 in 2009, currently #349 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Malia Obama drove the name's mainland rise.
- Spelling
The Hawaiian form of Mary; Maliyah and Maliah are phonetic respellings.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Malia Obama elder daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama
Spelling variants
- Maliyah
- Maliah
- Malea
Names with the same feeling
See Malia from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Malia mean?
- The Hawaiian form of Mary or Maria, also linked to a sense of calm.
- What does Malia mean in Hawaiian?
- In Hawaiian, Malia means "Hawaiian Mary." Malia is the Hawaiian form of Mary, taking the ancient Miriam root and giving it an island lilt. It carries a gentle, calm feel and flows beautifully. It rose sharply on the US mainland during the Obama presidency, thanks to Malia Obama, the former president's elder daughter. It keeps company with Maya, Amaya, and the Hawaiian Leilani. Said ma-LEE-a.
- How do you pronounce Malia?
- Malia is pronounced məˈliː.ə. Say it as ma-LI-a, with the stress on the "li" syllable.
- How do you spell Malia?
- The standard spelling is Malia. Common spelling variants include Maliyah, Maliah, Malea.
- Is Malia a boy or girl name?
- Malia is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Malia?
- Malia ranked #349 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.