malea as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of malea

What is the meaning of the name malea ?

The baby name malea is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced mə-LEE-ə (məˈliːə),mə-LAY-ə (məˈleɪə).

malea is English, Hawaiian in Origin.

Malea (mah-LAY-uh; also mah-LEE-uh) is a modern variant spelling of Malia, the Hawaiian form of Maria/Mary, ultimately from Hebrew Miryam. Traditional interpretations of Miryam include “beloved,” “wished‑for child,” “rebellion,” and poetic “sea” imagery via the medieval phrase stella maris (“star of the sea”).

As a given name in the U.S., Malea appears from the late 20th century, rising alongside interest in Malia in the 2000s; it’s a creative respelling favored in contemporary English‑speaking communities. Less commonly, some see it as inspired by the Greek toponym Cape Malea, though this has little impact on usage. Related forms and variants include Maleah, Malia, Maliah, Maliya, Maria, Mary, Mariah, Maryam, and Miriam. Nicknames and diminutives: Lia, Lea, Mali. The name’s gentle vowels and cross‑cultural roots give it a familiar yet distinctive feel.

⚙ malea is rarely chosen. We count 49 recorded uses of it across 13 countries.