Find out how popular the first name Mahalah has been for the last 16 years (from 1995 to 2010) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mahalah by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Mahalah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2010, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mahalah.

The history of the first name Mahalah

The name Mahalah has its origins in ancient Hebrew, deriving from the root words ma'al and ya'lah, which together mean "one who praises" or "song of praise." This name first appeared in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it was borne by one of the granddaughters of Manasseh, son of Joseph.

In the Book of Numbers, Mahalah is listed among the descendants of Manasseh who were allocated land in the region of Canaan. This early mention dates the name back to around the 13th century BCE and establishes its deep-rooted connection to the Hebrew people and their sacred texts.

Outside of the Biblical context, the earliest known individual named Mahalah was a Jewish woman who lived in the 2nd century CE in the Roman province of Judea. Her name is recorded on an ancient synagogue inscription discovered in the ruins of Capernaum, a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee.

Centuries later, during the Middle Ages, the name Mahalah resurfaced in Europe among Jewish communities. One notable bearer was Mahalah bat Yosef, a 13th-century Jewish scholar and poet from Provence, France, renowned for her contributions to liturgical poetry and her expertise in Talmudic law.

In the 17th century, Mahalah appeared in the historical records of the English Puritans, who were known for their affinity for biblical names. Mahalah Munnings, born in 1631 in Suffolk, England, was one of the earliest recorded bearers of the name in the English-speaking world.

Another noteworthy figure was Mahalah Wentworth, born in 1738 in New Hampshire, who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War as a supporter of the Patriot cause and a supplier of provisions to the Continental Army.

Finally, in the 19th century, Mahalah Dewhurst, born in 1835 in Lancashire, England, was a prominent figure in the early women's rights movement, advocating for equal educational opportunities and suffrage for women.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mahalah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mahalah, please contact us.

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