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NamyLab

Malena

female
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Of Magdalene"

Often treated as a form of Magdalena or Madeleine, with usage in Spanish and Slavic-speaking communities.

Themes:magdalenefemininediminutive
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

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

Popularity History of Malena

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2469Ranked in 2024

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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
#2469

Malena was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+75

better than 2023

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

Malena Nicknames

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

8 ideas
maly
Nickname
male
Nickname
lena
Nickname
mo
Nickname
ma
Nickname
my
Nickname
mie
Nickname
leny
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Malena

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

18 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Malena mean?
Malena means "Of Magdalene". Often treated as a form of Magdalena or Madeleine, with usage in Spanish and Slavic-speaking communities.
What is the origin of Malena?
Malena is of Spanish origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Malena?
According to the latest SSA data, Malena is currently ranked #2469 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 Malena a girl name?
Malena 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 Malena?
Popular nicknames for Malena include maly, male, lena, mo, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Malena?
There are many names similar to Malena in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginSpanish, Greek
Syllables3
Length6 letters
US Rank#2469
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Malena

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

Malena appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Spanish Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Classic Greek Baby Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Malena pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Malena 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.