N
NamyLab

Malai

female
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Bitter/Sea"

Used across languages with different meanings and pronunciations; interpretation depends on whether the context is Thai, Tamil, or diaspora usage.

Themes:thaitamilmultiorigingivennameunisex
NatureNaturalUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Malai

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#9955Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Malai did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Malai Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Malai.

10 ideas
maly
Nickname
mala
Nickname
mie
Nickname
my
Nickname
mo
Nickname
alai
Nickname
laiy
Nickname
ma
Nickname
malaiy
Nickname
malaio
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Malai

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Malai, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

17 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Malai mean?
Malai means "Bitter/Sea". Used across languages with different meanings and pronunciations; interpretation depends on whether the context is Thai,
What is the origin of Malai?
Malai is of Thai origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Malai?
According to the latest SSA data, Malai is currently ranked #9955 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Malai a girl name?
Malai is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Malai?
Popular nicknames for Malai include maly, mala, mie, my, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Malai?
There are many names similar to Malai in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginThai, Tamil
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#9955
Trend→ Stable
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Malai

Malai has Thai roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Thai baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Malai appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls and Earth-Inspired Nature Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Malai pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Malai beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.