Find out how popular the first name Melaysia has been for the last 22 years (from 1999 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Melaysia by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Melaysia is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 9 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Melaysia.

The history of the first name Melaysia

The name Melaysia has its origins in the ancient Tamil language, spoken by the Dravidian people of southern India and Sri Lanka. It is derived from the Tamil words "melai" meaning "hill" or "mountain" and "ari" meaning "ruler" or "king". The name can be traced back to the 6th century CE and was likely given to those born in the hilly regions of the Tamil kingdoms.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Melaysia can be found in the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, which dates back to the 5th or 6th century CE. The epic mentions a character named Melaysia, who was a wealthy merchant and trader from the ancient Tamil city of Puhar (now known as Kaveri Poompattinam).

In the 7th century CE, a Tamil prince named Melaysia Vijayabahu is recorded as having ruled over parts of what is now Sri Lanka. He was a prominent figure in the struggle against the Chola Empire and is credited with establishing the Kingdom of Ruhuna in southern Sri Lanka.

During the medieval period, the name Melaysia gained popularity among the Tamil communities in South India and Sri Lanka. One notable figure was Melaysia Nayanar, a 9th-century Hindu mystic and saint from the Tamil Nadu region of India. He is revered in the Nayanar tradition of Saivite devotional poetry.

In the 16th century, a Tamil trader and explorer named Melaysia Sekaran is recorded as having traveled to Southeast Asia and established trade routes between the Indian subcontinent and the Malay Archipelago. He is believed to have played a significant role in the spread of Tamil culture and language in the region, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name in some areas.

Another historical figure with the name Melaysia was Melaysia Durai, a Tamil scholar and poet from the 18th century. He was renowned for his contributions to Tamil literature and his works are still studied today in parts of South India and Sri Lanka.

While the name Melaysia has its roots in the Tamil language and culture, it has also been adopted and adapted by various communities around the world over the centuries. However, it remains a relatively uncommon name, especially in recent times, and its historical significance is primarily tied to its Tamil origins and the people who bore this name in the past.

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

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

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