Maly
A girl's name of Khmer origin with 209 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Maly is a girl's baby name of Khmer origin, from the Cambodian mali or maly, meaning 'jasmine flower.' The jasmine's delicate white blooms and intense fragrance make it a symbol of purity and feminine beauty in Southeast Asian cultures. Maly is a common feminine name in Cambodia.
As Cambodian communities established roots in the United States following the refugee crisis of the 1970s, names like Maly became part of the American cultural landscape. Its botanical meaning of jasmine connects it to a tradition of flower naming that transcends cultural boundaries.
EtymologyShow more
Maly is built from 4 letters and two syllables — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Khmer naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Maly creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Maly has 25+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1981.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 21 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 27 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 90 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 71 | — |
The Story of Maly
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Maly is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Maly are most likely born between 1981 and 2000.
How rare is Maly?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Maly is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1981, peaked in the 1990s with 90 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Maly by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1981–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | #17489 |
| 2016 | 5 | #17880 |
| 2015 | 5 | #18158 |
| 2013 | 6 | #15819 |
| 2006 | 5 | #18993 |
| 2002 | 6 | #14728 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11650 |
| 2000 | 8 | #11389 |
| 1998 | 6 | #13478 |
| 1997 | 7 | #11587 |
| 1996 | 8 | #10156 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7862 |
| 1994 | 9 | #9306 |
| 1993 | 11 | #7842 |
| 1992 | 11 | #7835 |
| 1991 | 11 | #7754 |
| 1990 | 16 | #5719 |
| 1989 | 15 | #5722 |
| 1988 | 8 | #8880 |
| 1987 | 6 | #10685 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maly a boy's or girl's name?
When was Maly most popular?
How popular is the name Maly?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1981–2017