Malu
Primarily a girl's name with 247 recorded births. Also given to 5 boys.
Meaning & Origin
a village in Bârla, Argeș County, Romania
Malu is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hawaiian and Samoan origin, meaning 'peace' or 'protection' — the shadow of a sheltering tree, the calm of a safe harbor. In Polynesian culture, the word malu carries deep spiritual resonance as divine protection and shade.
Malu has a beautiful simplicity — just four letters that contain an entire philosophy of peaceful shelter. It is widely used across Polynesian communities and has a serene, universal appeal.
EtymologyShow more
Malu's linguistic roots are not definitively traced to a single tradition. Names that emerged in late-twentieth-century America were often created by blending sounds, respelling existing names, or combining elements from multiple languages — a form of linguistic creativity that makes pinning down a single origin difficult.
What the data does show: Malu has 247 recorded U.S. births as a girl's name, with its open, approachable ending ending on a vowel softens the overall impression.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Malu has 20+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1995.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 109 | #5806 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 103 | #11138 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 25 | #15890 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 10 | #15232 | — |
The Story of Malu
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Malu is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Malu are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Malu?
Only about 1 in every 144,000 babies born in 2024 was named Malu — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1995, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2020s with 109 births that decade.
Malu by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(20 years, 1995–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | #5225 |
| 2023 | 16 | #7127 |
| 2022 | 23 | #5570 |
| 2021 | 22 | #5683 |
| 2020 | 23 | #5426 |
| 2019 | 23 | #5550 |
| 2018 | 15 | #7617 |
| 2017 | 14 | #8122 |
| 2016 | 14 | #8248 |
| 2015 | 6 | #15700 |
| 2014 | 6 | #15839 |
| 2013 | 11 | #9999 |
| 2011 | 8 | #12939 |
| 2010 | 6 | #16232 |
| 2009 | 6 | #16493 |
| 2007 | 6 | #16802 |
| 2006 | 8 | #13143 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17122 |
| 1998 | 5 | #15624 |
| 1995 | 5 | #14839 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Malu as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Malu has also been given to 5 boys in the U.S. since 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Malu most popular?
How popular is the name Malu?
Can Malu be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1995–2024