Malaya is a distinctive choice, ranked #1353 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Malaya in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#1353
US Rank #813
About the Name Malaya
Malaya is gradually declining in popularity, having dropped 40 places over five years. Its high point was #1102 in 2021, and it now sits at #1353. The name has been a regular feature in UK records since 2008.
Malaya is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #813, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Malaya
Unlikely. With around 24 UK babies named Malaya per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Malaya in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Malaya has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 40 places in the last five years. Its peak was #1102 in 2021. Choosing it now means she is likely to be among the last of her generation with this name.
Malaya is more popular in the US (#813) than in the UK (#1353). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Malaya include: Oxana Malaya — Oksana Oleksandrivna Malaya, better known as Oxana Malaya, is a Ukrainian woman internationally known for her dog-imitating behavior.; University of Malaya — The University of Malaya (Malay: Universiti Malaya, abbreviated UM) is a public research university located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia..
Malaya ranks #813 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
24
UK babies named Malaya (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↓ 40 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Malaya
Likely around 1 other Malaya in the class
UK Popularity (2008–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Malaya
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Oksana Oleksandrivna Malaya, better known as Oxana Malaya, is a Ukrainian woman internationally known for her dog-imitating behavior. Malaya has been the subject of documentaries, interviews and tabloid headlines as a feral child "raised by dogs".
The University of Malaya (Malay: Universiti Malaya, abbreviated UM) is a public research university located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the oldest Malaysian institution of higher education, and was the only university in newly independent Malaya.