NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Malayka

An African name meaning "angel".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Malayka is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Malayka popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4645, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 12 births.

This profile covers 43 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2004 to 2022. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 43 living people in the UK are called Malayka. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2023 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Malayka ranked #4645 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 12 girls were registered as Malayka.
  • About 43 living people in the UK are estimated to have Malayka as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4645

2022

Births in 2022

4

Latest year

Peak year

2005

12 births

Estimated living

43

2026

Meaning

What does Malayka mean?

The name Malayka is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language, derived from the word "malak," which means "angel" or "messenger." This name has been used primarily among Arab and Muslim communities throughout history.

One of the earliest known references to the name Malayka can be found in ancient Arabic poetry and literature, where it was often used as a metaphor to describe a beautiful and pure individual. It was also a popular name in certain regions of the Middle East during the medieval period.

In the 9th century, a notable figure named Malayka bint al-Muqtadir was recorded as the daughter of the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir. She was known for her intelligence and literary talents, and her name became associated with wisdom and eloquence.

During the 12th century, a renowned Islamic scholar and mystic named Malayka al-Basri was born in Basra, present-day Iraq. She was highly respected for her knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and her contributions to Sufi teachings.

In the 14th century, a famous Egyptian poet and calligrapher named Malayka al-Qahiri gained recognition for her intricate calligraphic works and her compositions celebrating love and beauty.

Another notable figure was Malayka bint Abi Bakr, who lived in the 7th century and was the daughter of the first caliph, Abu Bakr. She was known for her piety and her dedication to preserving the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Throughout history, the name Malayka has been associated with grace, beauty, and spiritual enlightenment, reflecting its angelic connotations. While its usage may have varied across different regions and time periods, it has remained a popular choice among Arab and Muslim communities, carrying with it a rich cultural and religious significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Malayka over time

The chart below shows babies named Malayka registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Malayka, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2022, compared with 12 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Malayka
036912200420132022

Decades

Malayka by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Malayka was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4645 4 1
2010s #5235 7 2
2000s #3496 32 5

Related

Names similar to Malayka

FAQ

Malayka: questions and answers

How popular is the name Malayka in the UK right now?

In 2022, Malayka was ranked #4645 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Malayka most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 12 babies registered as Malayka in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Malayka?

An African name meaning "angel".

How many people are called Malayka in the UK?

A total of 43 babies have been registered as Malayka across the 8 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.