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

Popularity of Malka by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Malka is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Malka being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 237 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Malka.

The history of the first name Malka

The name Malka is of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew word "Malka," which means "queen" or "ruler." It has been used as a feminine given name among Jewish communities for centuries.

The earliest known record of the name Malka can be traced back to ancient Jewish texts and scriptures. In the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, there are several references to women named Malka, suggesting the name was in use during the post-biblical era.

One of the most notable historical figures with the name Malka was Malka of Palmyra, a queen who ruled the ancient Semitic city-state of Palmyra in the 3rd century AD. She was the wife of Odaenathus, the ruler of Palmyra, and took over the reins of power after his death.

In the Middle Ages, the name Malka was relatively common among Jewish communities across Europe and the Middle East. One notable bearer of the name was Malka Katsina, a 14th-century Jewish poet from Catalonia, Spain, who wrote religious poetry in Hebrew.

The name Malka also appears in various historical records and documents from the Ottoman Empire. For instance, Malka Rivka, born in 1610 in Izmir, Turkey, was a prominent figure in the Jewish community and is mentioned in several historical accounts.

Other notable individuals with the name Malka include Malka Leibowitz (1888-1972), a renowned Israeli Torah scholar and teacher, and Malka Schaps (1904-1983), a Polish-born Israeli writer and translator.

In more recent times, the name Malka has been adopted by individuals from various cultures and backgrounds, reflecting its enduring appeal and historical significance.

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

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

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