Malosi
A masculine Sesotho name meaning "strengths" or "powers".
Name Census estimates that about 164 living Americans carry the first name Malosi. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Malosi today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Malosi births was 2022 (22 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Malosi. 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
164
~ 1 in 2,089,965 Americans
Peak year
2022
22 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2024 SSA rank
#5,351
Tracked since 2004
Popularity
Malosi: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Malosi from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 73 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Malosi 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 Malosi during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Malosis live
Origin
Meaning and history of Malosi
The name Malosi is believed to have its origins in the Sesotho language spoken by the Basotho people of Lesotho and parts of South Africa. It is derived from the word "matla," which translates to "strength" or "power." The name Malosi itself means "the strong one" or "powerful one."
In the traditional culture of the Basotho, strength and power were highly valued traits, particularly for warriors and leaders. Giving a child the name Malosi was a way to impart these qualities and express the hope that the child would grow up to be a strong and powerful individual.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Malosi can be traced back to the 19th century in historical records and documents from the region. However, it is likely that the name has been in use for much longer, as the Basotho people have a rich oral tradition and many names predate written records.
One notable historical figure who bore the name Malosi was Malosi Mohale, a renowned warrior and chieftain who lived in the late 18th century. He was known for his bravery and military prowess, leading his people in battles against rival tribes and defending their territory.
Another famous Malosi was Malosi Rankhuga, a prominent politician and diplomat in the early 20th century. He played a key role in the negotiations for Lesotho's independence from British rule and served as the country's first ambassador to the United Nations.
In the realm of sports, Malosi Mokete was a celebrated long-distance runner from Lesotho who competed in the Olympic Games in the 1970s and 1980s. He held several national records and was widely regarded as one of the country's greatest athletes.
Malosi Mohapi was a renowned artist and sculptor from Lesotho, whose works were heavily influenced by the traditional art and culture of the Basotho people. His intricate wood carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from daily life and mythological figures gained international recognition.
Finally, Malosi Tsikoane was a prominent writer and scholar who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of the Sesotho language and literature. He authored numerous books and articles, and his works are widely studied in academic circles.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Malosi, reflecting the strength, power, and cultural significance associated with this name.
People
Malosi + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Malosi 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
Malosi: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Malosi?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 164 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Malosi 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 2,089,965 US residents.
Is Malosi a common name?
We classify Malosi as "Very Rare". It ranks above 71.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 165 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Malosi most popular?
The single biggest year for Malosi was 2022, when 22 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Malosi is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Malosi in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Malosi a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Malosi in the SSA data are male. 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.
Is Malosi still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Malosi in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Malosi can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Malosi?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many people have the name Malosi at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.