Maleina
A girl's name of Polynesian origin with 24 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. girl's names, Maleina currently holds position #14558. It is known but far from saturated — a name that registers without repeating.
With records spanning 2001 to 2024, Maleina has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
In the most recent SSA release, Maleina ranks #14558 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Maleina is a girl's baby name, a Polynesian or Tongan form of Marlena/Marlene (from German Maria + Magdalena, combining Mary and Magdalene) or a variant of Maleina used in Pacific Island communities. The phonetic rendering creates something softer and more open than the European original.
Maleina has the vowel-rich, melodic quality of Polynesian names — its four syllables flow naturally, and the open -ina ending gives it a warm, welcoming character. It carries the dual heritage of Mary and Magdalene in a form that feels wholly Pacific.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Maleina is rooted in the Polynesian tradition, but its presence in American naming since 2001 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Maleina’s rarity (24 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Maleina was #13663 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #14558, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 18 | — |
The Story of Maleina
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2004, Maleina is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Maleina are most likely born between 2001 and 2014.
How rare is Maleina?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Maleina — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2001, peaked in the 2000s with 18 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(4 years, 2001–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #14558 |
| 2008 | 6 | #16718 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13663 |
| 2001 | 5 | #16935 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2001–2024