Mahalia
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly Hebrew, possibly African, likely meaning "humble".
Name Census estimates that about 1,876 living Americans carry the first name Mahalia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Mahalia today is around 27 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mahalia births was 2020 (65 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mahalia. 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.
People living today
1.9K
~ 1 in 182,705 Americans
Peak year
2020
65 babies that year
Average age
27
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,196
Tracked since 1880
Popularity
Mahalia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mahalia from the 1880s through to the 2020s, spanning 15 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 429 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2000s peak, Mahalia remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mahalia 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 Mahalia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Mahalias live
The SSA's state-level files cover 11 states and territories. California, Florida, Texas recorded the most babies named Mahalia, while South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 32 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Mahalia
The name Mahalia has its origins in the African-American community, derived from the Hebrew name "Miryam" or "Miriam." It gained popularity in the early 20th century, particularly among African Americans who drew inspiration from biblical and religious sources.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Mahalia can be traced back to the 19th century. Mahalia Jackson, the renowned gospel singer and civil rights activist, was born Mahalia Jackson on October 26, 1911, and passed away on January 27, 1972. Her powerful vocals and unwavering commitment to social justice made her a cultural icon, and her name became synonymous with the African-American struggle for equality.
Another notable figure bearing the name Mahalia was Mahalia Haizlip, an American author and television host. Born in 1936, she published several books exploring the experiences of biracial individuals and was a trailblazer in promoting diversity and inclusion in the media. Haizlip passed away in 1994.
In the realm of literature, Mahalia Coulridge was a character in Toni Morrison's acclaimed novel "Song of Solomon," published in 1977. Morrison's portrayal of Mahalia contributed to the name's cultural significance and resonance within the African-American community.
Moving into the realm of sports, Mahalia Sanford was a renowned basketball player who played for the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters from 2000 to 2004. She led her team to multiple NCAA tournament appearances and was a standout player, showcasing the strength and resilience associated with the name Mahalia.
While the name Mahalia has its roots in the African-American community, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained recognition globally. For instance, Mahalia Kuper was a South African anti-apartheid activist born in 1899, who fought tirelessly for racial equality and human rights until her passing in 1991.
The name Mahalia has become a symbol of strength, resilience, and a commitment to social justice. Its historical significance, rooted in the African-American experience, has given it a profound cultural resonance that continues to inspire and empower individuals across generations.
People
Mahalia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mahalia 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
Mahalia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mahalia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,876 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mahalia 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 182,705 US residents.
Is Mahalia a common name?
We classify Mahalia as "Rare". It ranks above 93.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,316 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mahalia most popular?
The single biggest year for Mahalia was 2020, when 65 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mahalia is about 27 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Mahalia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Mahalia 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.
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.