Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Malin
GirlSwedish, Hebrew· “Scandinavian form of Magdalene”
- Meaning
- Scandinavian form of Magdalene
- Origin
- Swedish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MAH-lihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #7,020
- US babies 2025
- 16
- Best rank
- #2,700 (2012)
- Peak year
- 2012
Meaning and origin of Malin
Malin is a Swedish and Hebrew name that means “Scandinavian form of Magdalene”.
Malin is a Scandinavian short form of Magdalena, used especially in Sweden and Norway. Magdalena refers to Mary Magdalene, whose name means woman of Magdala, a town on the Sea of Galilee. Swedish shortened Magdalena to Malena and then Malin, which has stood as an independent name for centuries. In Swedish it is said MAH-lihn, and that is the usual pronunciation in the United States too. The actress Malin Akerman is a familiar bearer. Malin also exists as an Irish place name, Malin Head in Donegal, but that is unrelated. It is a crisp, understated name with a Nordic feel.
Popularity over time
Malin first appears in US Social Security records in 1974. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,700 in 2012, the same year it reached its highest count of 66 babies. In 2025, 16 babies were named Malin, and it ranked #7,020 nationally. That is 60% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #9,618 in 2000, #4,005 in 2010, and #7,020 in 2025. Of the 840 US girls named Malin since records began, 52% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 179 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Amariana, Miangel, Amaiyah, Khyla, and Allisyn.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 84% of US babies named Malin over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Malin is usually pronounced MAH-lihn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-in”.
Middle names for Malin
A few middle names that flow with Malin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Malin
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Lists that include Malin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malin mean?
Malin is a Swedish and Hebrew name that means “Scandinavian form of Magdalene”.
What is the origin of the name Malin?
Malin has Swedish and Hebrew roots. Malin is a Scandinavian short form of Magdalena, used especially in Sweden and Norway.
Is Malin a popular name?
Not especially. Malin ranked #7,020 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Malin a boy or girl name?
Malin is mainly a girl's name. About 84% of US babies named Malin over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Malin?
Malin is usually pronounced MAH-lihn. 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