Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Malaika
GirlSwahili, Arabic· “angel”
- Meaning
- angel
- Origin
- Swahili, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- mah-LY-kuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,344
- US babies 2025
- 78
- Best rank
- #1,390 (1972)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Malaika
Malaika is a Swahili and Arabic name that means “angel”.
Malaika is a Swahili name meaning angel, borrowed from the Arabic malaika, the plural of malak, angel. The name is widely used in East Africa, and it gained international recognition through the Swahili song Malaika, a love song recorded by many artists, including Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. It is said mah-LY-kuh. Malaika has a melodic, gentle sound and a spiritual meaning. It is also used in India, where Malaika Arora is a well-known actress. The name combines African and Arabic roots in a graceful form.
Popularity over time
Malaika first appears in US Social Security records in 1968. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,390 in 1972, and the most babies received it in 2006, when 86 were named Malaika. In 2025, 78 babies were named Malaika, and it ranked #2,344 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,178 in 1980, #2,623 in 2000, #2,631 in 2010, and #2,344 in 2025. Of the 2,662 US girls named Malaika since records began, 26% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 598 babies. Since 2010, 1,038 more have been named Malaika.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Karisma, Deysi, Jamaria, Jakira, and Angelyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Malaika ranked highest in Massachusetts, Indiana, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #599 | 9 |
| Indiana | #887 | 7 |
| New York | #2284 | 5 |
| Florida | #2371 | 5 |
| Texas | #2553 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Malaika is usually pronounced mah-LY-kuh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-ka”.
Middle names for Malaika
A few middle names that flow with Malaika: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Malaika
Similar names
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eye-EE-duh
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Lists that include Malaika
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malaika mean?
Malaika is a Swahili and Arabic name that means “angel”.
What is the origin of the name Malaika?
Malaika has Swahili and Arabic roots. Malaika is a Swahili name meaning angel, borrowed from the Arabic malaika, the plural of malak, angel.
Is Malaika a popular name?
Not especially. Malaika ranked #2,344 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Malaika a boy or girl name?
Malaika is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Malaika?
Malaika is usually pronounced mah-LY-kuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings