Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Malika
GirlArabic· “queen”
- Meaning
- queen
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- MAH-lih-kuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,711
- US babies 2025
- 64
- Best rank
- #1,026 (1996)
- Peak year
- 1996
Meaning and origin of Malika
Malika is an Arabic name that means “queen”.
Malika is an Arabic name meaning queen, the feminine of malik, king, from a root associated with possession and rule. It is used across the Arab world and in Muslim communities in Central Asia, South Asia and Africa, and in Uzbekistan and neighboring countries it is a familiar classic. The stress usually falls on the first syllable, MAH-lih-kuh, although English speakers sometimes say muh-LEE-kuh. The same root gives Malak, often read as angel, and al-Malik, the King, one of the names of God in Islam. Malikah is an alternate spelling, and the name has a quietly regal dignity.
Popularity over time
Malika first appears in US Social Security records in 1966. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,026 in 1996, the same year it reached its highest count of 183 babies. In 2025, 64 babies were named Malika, and it ranked #2,711 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,385 in 1980, #1,656 in 2000, #3,188 in 2010, and #2,711 in 2025. Of the 4,967 US girls named Malika since records began, 28% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 819 babies. Since 2010, 1,188 more have been named Malika.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Breeanna, Keana, Corrina, Elexis, and Yessica.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Malika ranked highest in Pennsylvania, New York, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #1335 | 6 |
| New York | #1608 | 8 |
| California | #2978 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Malika is usually pronounced MAH-lih-kuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ka”.
Middle names for Malika
A few middle names that flow with Malika: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Malika
Similar names
Malaika Girl
mah-LY-kuh
“angel” · Swahili
#2,344
Erika Girl
EH-rih-kuh
“ever ruler” · Old Norse
#1,109
Guadalupe Girl
gwah-duh-LOO-pay
“from a Spanish place name” · Spanish
#1,248
Annika Girl
AH-nih-kuh
“grace” · Swedish
#995
Anika Girl
AH-nih-kuh
“grace; pet form of Anna” · Dutch
#955
Rihanna Girl
ree-AH-nuh
“sweet basil” · Arabic
#2,150
Aida Girl
eye-EE-duh
“uncertain; possibly returning, visitor” · Italian
#1,414
Anissa Girl
uh-NEE-suh
“uncertain; possibly from Anisa, friendly companion” · Arabic
#3,071
Jamila Girl
juh-MEE-luh
“beautiful” · Arabic
#1,686
Rania Girl
RAH-nee-uh
“gazing, looking” · Arabic
#2,682
Monika Girl
MON-ih-kuh
“variant of Monica, origin uncertain” · Latin
#6,478
Zahira Girl
zuh-HEER-uh
“shining, radiant” · Arabic
#3,709
Lists that include Malika
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malika mean?
Malika is an Arabic name that means “queen”.
What is the origin of the name Malika?
Malika has Arabic roots. Malika is an Arabic name meaning queen, the feminine of malik, king, from a root associated with possession and rule.
Is Malika a popular name?
Not especially. Malika ranked #2,711 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Malika a boy or girl name?
Malika is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Malika?
Malika is usually pronounced MAH-lih-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