Machala
A feminine name of Spanish origin representing a small village or town.
Name Census estimates that about 51 living Americans carry the first name Machala. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Machala today is around 28 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Machala births was 1998 (12 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Machala. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Machala. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
51
~ 1 in 6,720,673 Americans
Peak year
1998
12 babies that year
Average age
28
years old
2006 SSA rank
#18,926
Tracked since 1994
Popularity
Machala: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Machala from the 1990s through to the 2000s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 41 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Machala by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Machala during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Machala
Machala is a feminine given name of uncertain origin, though it is believed to have roots in various Slavic languages. One theory suggests that it may be derived from the Macedonian word "machka," meaning "cat," possibly referring to a person with cat-like qualities such as grace or agility. Another possibility is that it stems from the Old Slavic word "makh," which translates to "wave" or "swing," perhaps alluding to a graceful or rhythmic movement.
The earliest recorded use of the name Machala dates back to the 16th century in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in regions with significant Slavic influence. However, it remained relatively obscure until more recent times, when it gained popularity in countries like Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Throughout history, there have been a few notable individuals who bore the name Machala. One such figure was Machala Nazar (1920-1945), a Ukrainian partisan who fought against Nazi occupation during World War II. She was renowned for her bravery and unwavering commitment to the resistance movement.
Another prominent Machala was Machala Rajah (1932-2018), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who was instrumental in popularizing the Bharatanatyam dance form. She received numerous accolades for her contributions to the arts, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan award from the Indian government.
In the realm of literature, Machala Bogdanowicz (1956-present) is a Polish poet and translator known for her evocative and introspective works. Her poetry collections have garnered critical acclaim and have been translated into multiple languages.
Machala Vaughan (1982-present) is a British actress and singer who has appeared in various television shows and stage productions. She is particularly recognized for her roles in the musicals "Mamma Mia!" and "Wicked."
Lastly, Machala Rayner (1974-present) is a Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded a successful renewable energy company. She has been recognized for her efforts in promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation.
While the name Machala may have humble origins, it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and fields, each leaving their mark on history through their accomplishments and contributions to society.
People
Machala + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Machala as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Machala: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Machala?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 51 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Machala going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 6,720,673 US residents.
Is Machala a common name?
We classify Machala as "Very Rare". It ranks above 54.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 52 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Machala most popular?
The single biggest year for Machala was 1998, when 12 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Machala is about 28 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Machala in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Machala a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Machala in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Machala still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Machala in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Machala can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Machala?
For a quick modern take, check how many people have the name Machala on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.