Meliyah first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Meliyah has been for the last 25 years (from 1999 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Meliyah

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "having beautiful looks".

Popularity of Meliyah by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Meliyah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 18 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Meliyah.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 18
2022 0 24
2021 0 14
2020 0 21
2019 0 26
2018 0 30
2017 0 19
2016 0 21
2015 0 23
2014 0 25
2013 0 16
2012 0 15
2011 0 23
2010 0 33
2009 0 35
2008 0 25
2007 0 18
2006 0 12
2005 0 12
2004 0 13
2003 0 11
2002 0 11
2001 0 17
2000 0 10
1999 0 5

The history of the first name Meliyah

The name Meliyah is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. Its etymology can be linked to the Arabic word "malika," which translates to "queen" or "sovereign," suggesting a regal and noble connotation.

During the golden age of Islamic civilization, which spanned from the 8th to the 13th centuries, names with similar spellings and meanings were prevalent. The name Meliyah, or variations of it, were often bestowed upon females born into prominent families or those with a strong connection to the ruling class.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the writings of the renowned Islamic scholar Ibn Khaldun, who lived from 1332 to 1406. In his historical accounts, he mentioned a woman named Meliyah, the daughter of a high-ranking official during the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the name Meliyah. One such figure was Meliyah al-Andalusi, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in Andalusia (modern-day Spain) during the 11th century. Her works, which celebrated the beauty of nature and the intricacies of the Arabic language, are still studied and admired by scholars today.

Another prominent figure was Meliyah bint al-Muqtadir, who lived in the 10th century and was the daughter of the Abbasid Caliph al-Muqtadir. She was known for her intelligence and her patronage of the arts, supporting numerous poets and artists during her lifetime.

In the realm of literature, the name Meliyah also found its way into the works of the celebrated Persian poet Rumi, who lived from 1207 to 1273. In his poetic verses, he often used the name as a metaphor for divine beauty and grace.

During the Ottoman Empire, which spanned from the 14th to the 20th centuries, the name Meliyah continued to be used among the nobility and upper classes. One noteworthy figure was Meliyah Sultan, who lived in the 16th century and was the daughter of Sultan Selim II. She was known for her philanthropic efforts and her support of educational institutions.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Meliyah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/meliyah-meaning-and-history/.

"Meliyah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/meliyah-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 9 May, 2025

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

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.