Baby Name Popularity Profile

Malaya

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Malaya.

✦ Free or mountain 🌍 Sanskrit, Other nature modern
National Rank (2025) #775
All-Time Peak Rank #633 Achieved 2013
Total U.S. Births 8,467 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 0.0% Boy / 100.0% Girl Female Archetype
First Recorded 1977 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2010s 449 births in 2014
💡 The Malaya Vibe: Considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Free or mountain
Language Origin Sanskrit, Other
Origin Type multiple
Derived from Tagalog meaning 'free' or from Malay/Sanskrit referring to 'mountain' or the Malay Archipelago.
Common Nicknames
Mal Laya
Alternative Spellings
Malayah
Pronunciation: mah-LAH-yah
Themes & Categories
nature modern
Etymology confidence: Medium · Under review

📖 The Story Behind Malaya

According to SSA data, Malaya achieved its highest historical rank of #633 in 2013. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2014 with 449 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 10.2%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 38 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Malaya across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Declining
10-Year Shift -10.2% Decline
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 449 births in 2014
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 0 yrs
Registry Streak 38 yrs
Historical Volatility Moderately Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 0
1920s: 0
1930s: 0
1940s: 0
1950s: 0
1960s: 0
1970s: 23
1980s: 33
1990s: 225
2000s: 1,980
2010s: 3,907
2020s: 2,299

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Ma-l-ay
Letter Count 6 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 25.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 25.7% of SSA names. Starts with M, a letter used by only 7.6% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Malaya.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Nevada
Top States Nevada, Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida
States with Data 37
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Nevada Unranked 69 2010 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #862 281 2013 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #505 223 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #441 420 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #668 499 2022 13.3% Decline
Arizona #878 164 2014 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #629 348 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #801 177 2010 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #532 240 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #591 215 2021 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico #360 53 2006 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #670 366 2013 Insufficient historical volume
California #807 963 2008 14.0% Decline
Indiana #776 202 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #731 375 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi #493 96 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #997 562 2019 12.1% Decline
Illinois #1084 331 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #756 131 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #1004 106 2009 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky #483 113 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #614 109 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #620 128 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #979 305 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Delaware Unranked 11 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota Unranked 97 2013 Insufficient historical volume
New York #1129 239 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma Unranked 39 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas Unranked 29 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado Unranked 28 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas Unranked 21 2017 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #1118 53 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon Unranked 15 2006 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska Unranked 10 2015 Insufficient historical volume
Utah Unranked 11 2005 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia #349 5 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts Unranked 5 2005 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
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👧 Sister Suggestions
Amaris Emberly Alena Kennedi Royalty Livia Aliya Zaniyah Jaliyah Coraline

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Based on statistical similarity and shared characteristics with Malaya:

Demographic & Volume Peers
Milana Milena Monica Merida Munira Malaysia Marina Melina Mikayla Michaela
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Browse all nature names → Browse Sanskrit names →

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