Find out how popular the first name Mahaley has been for the last 44 years (from 1978 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mahaley by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Mahaley is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mahaley.

The history of the first name Mahaley

The name Mahaley is of Hebrew origin, derived from the biblical name Machalath, which means "dance" or "dancing." It is a feminine form of the Hebrew word "machol," meaning "dance." The earliest known use of this name dates back to ancient Israel, where it was likely given to girls born to families associated with dancing or music.

In the Bible, the name Machalath appears in the title of Psalm 53, where it is believed to refer to a tune or melody used for that particular psalm. This suggests that the name may have been associated with musical or artistic traditions in ancient Israelite culture.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name Mahaley was Mahaley ben Uzziel, a prominent Jewish scholar who lived in the 2nd century CE. He is known for his contributions to the study of the Mishnah, the first major work of rabbinic Judaism.

During the Middle Ages, the name Mahaley was occasionally used among Jewish communities in Europe, though it remained relatively uncommon. An example from this period is Mahaley ben Shlomo, a Jewish philosopher and commentator who lived in 13th century France.

In the 16th century, the name gained some popularity among Puritans in England, who were influenced by biblical names. One notable figure from this time was Mahaley Winthrop (1552-1615), the wife of the famous Puritan leader John Winthrop.

In the 18th century, the name Mahaley was used by some Quaker families in England and the American colonies. Mahaley Carey (1735-1809) was a Quaker minister and author from Pennsylvania, known for her writings on religious topics.

Another notable bearer of the name was Mahaley Edmondston (1793-1854), a Scottish author and poet who wrote extensively about her travels and observations of life in the Shetland Islands.

While the name Mahaley has never been extremely common, it has persisted throughout history, primarily among communities with connections to the Bible or religious traditions. Its origins in ancient Israel and its associations with dance, music, and artistic expression have contributed to its unique character and enduring appeal.

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 Mahaley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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