Malana first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Malana has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Malana

A feminine given name of Sinhala origin meaning "beautiful flower".

Popularity of Malana by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Malana is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 29 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Malana.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 29
2022 0 31
2021 0 23
2020 0 24
2019 0 24
2018 0 33
2017 0 35
2016 0 25
2015 0 23
2014 0 34
2013 0 27
2012 0 37
2011 0 42
2010 0 32
2009 0 42
2008 0 41
2007 0 67
2006 0 52
2005 0 45
2004 0 51
2003 0 33
2002 0 30
2001 0 19
2000 0 23
1999 0 26
1998 0 18
1997 0 11
1996 0 11
1995 0 16
1994 0 8
1993 0 15
1992 0 11
1991 0 16
1990 0 9
1989 0 5
1987 0 7
1986 0 6
1984 0 5
1983 0 7
1982 0 8
1981 0 8
1980 0 9
1979 0 13
1978 0 16
1977 0 19
1976 0 9
1975 0 14
1974 0 12

The history of the first name Malana

The name Malana has its origins in the Sanskrit language of ancient India. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "mala," which means "garland" or "wreath." This association with flowers and natural beauty suggests that the name may have been initially given to children as a symbol of purity and innocence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Malana can be found in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. In this revered text, Malana is mentioned as the name of a minor character, a daughter of a king from the region of Kuru. This reference dates back to around the 4th century BCE, indicating the antiquity of the name's usage.

During the medieval period in India, the name Malana gained popularity among the ruling classes and nobility. One notable figure from this era was Malana Devi, a powerful queen who ruled over the Chandela dynasty in central India during the 10th century CE. Her reign was marked by the construction of several magnificent temples, and she was celebrated for her patronage of the arts and culture.

In the 16th century, a Malana was recorded as the wife of the Mughal emperor Akbar. While her historical significance is debated, her inclusion in the court records of the time attests to the continued use of the name among the elite classes of that period.

Moving forward in time, the name Malana found its way into the literary world with Malana Lal Verma, an acclaimed Hindi poet and writer from the 19th century. Born in 1828 in the city of Lucknow, Verma's works were instrumental in the development of modern Hindi literature and are still widely studied today.

More recently, the name Malana has been carried by Malana Gondwe, a Malawian politician and activist who has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and gender equality in her country. Born in 1976, Gondwe has served as a member of parliament and has been recognized for her efforts in promoting education and empowerment for women and girls in Malawi.

Throughout its history, the name Malana has maintained a connection to its Sanskrit roots, evoking images of natural beauty and purity. From ancient epics to modern-day leaders, this name has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, each leaving their mark on the world in their own way.

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

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

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"Malana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/malana-meaning-and-history/.

"Malana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/malana-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 June, 2025

Malana first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/malana-meaning-and-history/.

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