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

Popularity of Malika by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Malika is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Malika being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 88 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Malika.

The history of the first name Malika

The name Malika originates from the Arabic language, derived from the word "malik" meaning "king" or "sovereign." It is a feminine form of the Arabic word, often translated as "queen" or "princess." The name can be traced back to the early days of Islamic civilization in the 7th century AD.

During the medieval period, the name Malika was popular among the ruling classes and nobility in various Islamic empires and dynasties, such as the Abbasids, Fatimids, and Ottomans. It was commonly given to daughters of caliphs, sultans, and other members of the royal families.

One of the earliest and most famous references to the name Malika can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The name is mentioned in Surah An-Naml (The Ant), where it refers to the Queen of Sheba, who ruled over the ancient Kingdom of Saba (present-day Yemen).

Throughout history, there have been several notable women who bore the name Malika. Malika al-Sayyida Hurra (1485-1561) was a renowned Andalusian-born queen and military leader who governed the Kingdom of Tétouan in present-day Morocco. Malika Oufkir (1953-1988) was a Moroccan writer and former prisoner who authored the autobiographical book "La Prisonnière" (The Prisoner).

Malika Ayane (born 1984) is an Italian singer-songwriter of Moroccan descent, known for her unique blend of pop, soul, and world music. Malika Favre (born 1982) is a French illustrator and artist who has worked for brands like The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Penguin Books.

Malika Haqq (born 1983) is an American television personality and best friend of Khloe Kardashian, who has appeared on the reality shows "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and "Dash Dolls." Malika Arora Khan (born 1973) is an Indian actress, model, and television presenter, best known for her work in Bollywood films and reality shows.

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

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

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