The baby name Malaika is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced mah-LIE-kah (IPA: /məˈlaɪkə/).
Malaika is Swahili in Origin.
The baby name Malaika is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced mah-LIE-kah (IPA: /məˈlaɪkə/).
Malaika is Swahili in Origin.
Malaika is a feminine given name rooted in Swahili, where it means "angel," borrowed from Arabic malāʾika, the plural of malak ("angel"). In Swahili usage the borrowed form functions as a singular noun, and the name conveys an aura of protection, purity, and grace. It is widely used in Kenya, Tanzania, and other East African countries, and is embraced in Muslim communities and multicultural diasporas in Europe and North America.
The name spread globally in the mid-20th century, helped by the beloved East African song "Malaika," made famous by singers such as Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. Variant spellings include Maleika, Malayka, Malaikah, and Malaeka; short forms include Mala and Lika. Related names are Arabic Malak (unisex, "angel") and Malika ("queen"), which is etymologically distinct. Malaika remains a modern, melodious choice with cross-cultural resonance.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Girls | 2015 | #1 | — | 945 |
| NA | 0 | #33 | 1 | 2,537 | |
| QA | 0 | #106 | 1 | 7,011 | |
| BN | Girls | 0 | #110 | 5 | 5,459 |
| PA | 0 | #138 | 1 | 3,797 | |
| BW | Girls | 0 | #149 | 3 | 4,216 |
| MT | Girls | 0 | #153 | 1 | 3,773 |
| BW | Boys | 0 | #154 | 1 | 4,685 |
| Sweden | Girls | 2022 | #178 | 2 | 1,568 |
| AE | 0 | #187 | 1 | 10,220 | |
| DK | 0 | #206 | 1 | 5,198 | |
| NA | Girls | 0 | #233 | 5 | 7,146 |
| BD | 0 | #241 | 1 | 5,992 | |
| GH | 0 | #247 | 2 | 5,396 | |
| GR | Girls | 0 | #249 | 1 | 6,293 |
| JP | Girls | 0 | #250 | 2 | 6,592 |
| Canada | Girls | 2024 | #265 | 21 | 2,795 |
| JM | Girls | 0 | #274 | 5 | 7,507 |
| TW | Girls | 0 | #289 | 1 | 8,139 |
| HR | Girls | 0 | #294 | 1 | 3,687 |
| SA | 0 | #308 | 5 | 10,560 | |
| GH | Girls | 0 | #313 | 12 | 6,973 |
| DK | Girls | 0 | #322 | 8 | 7,429 |
| QA | Girls | 0 | #338 | 6 | 15,378 |
| CN | Girls | 0 | #356 | 4 | 8,829 |
| GH | Boys | 0 | #359 | 3 | 8,138 |
| MU | Girls | 0 | #359 | 4 | 8,539 |
| MU | Boys | 0 | #369 | 1 | 8,477 |
| OM | Girls | 0 | #383 | 14 | 15,987 |
| YE | 0 | #398 | 1 | 8,639 | |
| France | Girls | 2021 | #402 | 4 | 3,185 |
| BD | Girls | 0 | #403 | 4 | 8,413 |
| EG | 0 | #412 | 1 | 6,387 | |
| PH | Girls | 0 | #428 | 2 | 13,098 |
| MX | 0 | #445 | 1 | 8,339 | |
| PT | Girls | 0 | #468 | 4 | 7,952 |
| ZA | 0 | #470 | 5 | 14,421 | |
| CM | Girls | 0 | #509 | 32 | 11,671 |
| PA | Girls | 0 | #515 | 4 | 9,861 |
| RU | Girls | 0 | #523 | 1 | 11,913 |
| IQ | Girls | 0 | #525 | 1 | 11,303 |
| AE | Girls | 0 | #527 | 27 | 20,968 |
| UY | Girls | 0 | #536 | 1 | 6,731 |
| KW | Girls | 0 | #554 | 8 | 19,177 |
| LY | 0 | #559 | 1 | 12,703 | |
| CR | Girls | 0 | #571 | 3 | 11,342 |
| BH | 0 | #582 | 6 | 17,937 | |
| BD | Boys | 0 | #605 | 1 | 10,045 |
| AR | Girls | 0 | #627 | 4 | 8,289 |
| SG | Girls | 0 | #631 | 2 | 18,916 |
| HK | Girls | 0 | #646 | 5 | 16,104 |
| IN | Girls | 0 | #648 | 7 | 13,121 |
| LB | 0 | #690 | 1 | 13,263 | |
| Finland | Girls | 2026 | #712 | 27 | 3,895 |
| Germany | Girls | 0 | #800 | 39 | 4,949 |
| NG | Girls | 0 | #819 | 8 | 15,093 |
| United States | Girls | 2024 | #831 | 86 | 8,487 |
| TN | 0 | #865 | 1 | 13,765 | |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #882 | 54 | 25,931 |
| CL | Girls | 0 | #910 | 6 | 14,098 |
| OM | Boys | 0 | #918 | 1 | 17,948 |
| NL | Girls | 0 | #928 | 28 | 5,933 |
| NG | Boys | 0 | #938 | 14 | 16,906 |
| Spain | Girls | 0 | #970 | 14 | 5,561 |
| MY | Girls | 0 | #972 | 23 | 24,821 |
| BR | Girls | 0 | #991 | 2 | 12,708 |
| EG | Girls | 0 | #1,003 | 7 | 14,742 |
| PE | Girls | 0 | #1,010 | 1 | 14,861 |
| IN | Boys | 0 | #1,039 | 1 | 16,750 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,068 | 74 | 25,928 |
| MA | 0 | #1,109 | 20 | 20,986 | |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,136 | 8 | 22,615 |
| CO | Girls | 0 | #1,150 | 3 | 16,140 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,158 | 21 | 25,619 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,181 | 2 | 25,439 |
| DZ | 0 | #1,228 | 7 | 20,130 | |
| TR | 0 | #1,254 | 1 | 19,440 | |
| MX | Girls | 0 | #1,265 | 3 | 17,781 |
| IT | Girls | 0 | #1,415 | 32 | 9,415 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,604 | 11 | 28,008 |
Malaika is popular in 57 countries — most recent births per country:
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