Malala is a unique and distinctive female given name of Pashto origin. It is derived from the Pashto word "malalai" which means "grief-stricken" or "with sad countenance." The name Malala is also associated with Malikah Malalai, a legendary heroine in Afghan folklore who dressed up as a man to fight against invaders and protect her village.
The name Malala gained significant global attention when it was chosen by Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Born on July 12, 1997, in Swat Valley, Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai was inspired by her father's advocacy for girls' education and began advocating for girls' rights to education herself. In 2012, she was shot by the Taliban while returning home from school due to her activism. She survived the attack and has since become an international symbol of peaceful protest against extremism.
Although Malala is not a common name worldwide, it has gained popularity in recent years, particularly among parents who admire Malala Yousafzai's courage and advocacy for girls' education. The name Malala carries a powerful message of resilience, strength, and advocacy for justice. It is a name that represents hope and inspiration for many people around the world.
The name Malala has been given to a total of 90 babies in the United States over the past ten years, with the number of births varying annually. In 2013, there were 9 newborn girls named Malala, followed by 11 in 2014 and 10 each in 2015 and 2016. The year 2017 saw a slight decrease with only 8 births, but this number rebounded to 13 in 2018 and remained stable at 11 in 2019. Recent years have seen a decrease again, with 6 births each in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Despite fluctuations in popularity, Malala remains an uncommon yet unique name choice for parents in the United States.