Maly first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Maly has been for the last 37 years (from 1981 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Maly

A Slavic diminutive of Maria, meaning "little one" or "petite".

Popularity of Maly by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Maly is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Maly.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 0 5
2016 0 5
2015 0 5
2013 0 6
2006 0 5
2002 0 6
2001 0 8
2000 0 8
1998 0 6
1997 0 7
1996 0 8
1995 0 11
1994 0 9
1993 0 11
1992 0 11
1991 0 11
1990 0 16
1989 0 15
1988 0 8
1987 0 6
1986 0 10
1985 0 9
1983 0 8
1982 0 8
1981 0 7

The history of the first name Maly

The name Maly originates from the Slavic languages, with roots dating back to the 9th century. It is derived from the Slavic word "maly," meaning "small" or "little." This name was initially given to children as a term of endearment, reflecting their small stature and innocence.

In the early medieval period, the name Maly gained popularity among Slavic communities, particularly in regions such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and parts of modern-day Russia. It was commonly used as a diminutive form of other longer names, such as Malachy or Malachi, which have Hebrew origins and mean "messenger of God."

Historically, the name Maly has been documented in various ancient manuscripts and records. One notable mention is found in the Codex Diplomaticus et Epistolaris Regni Bohemiae, a collection of medieval documents from the Kingdom of Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic), dating back to the 13th century.

The earliest recorded example of someone bearing the name Maly can be traced back to the 12th century. Maly Lech, a Polish nobleman and military commander, is mentioned in the Chronica Polonorum (Chronicle of the Poles) written by Gallus Anonymus in the late 12th century.

Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the name Maly:

  1. Maly Vydra (1766-1842), a Czech composer and music teacher known for his works in the classical period.
  2. Maly Trunković (1863-1941), a Croatian writer and journalist who was an advocate for women's rights and education.
  3. Maly Alekseyevich Mikhailov (1880-1937), a Russian military officer and statesman who served as the Minister of War during the Russian Civil War.
  4. Maly Delschaft (1900-1995), a Dutch resistance fighter who played a crucial role in the Dutch resistance movement during World War II.
  5. Maly Alauddin Khan (1923-2004), an Indian classical musician and influential teacher of the Maihar gharana (musical lineage) in Hindustani classical music.

While the name Maly may have evolved and adapted over time, its roots can be traced back to the Slavic cultures, where it was initially used as a term of affection and endearment for children. Despite its diminutive origins, the name has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

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

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

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"Maly first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 8, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/maly-meaning-and-history/.

"Maly first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/maly-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 8 June, 2025

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

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