UK girl's name
Malu
A Hindu name meaning "garland" or "coronet".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Malu is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Malu popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4096, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 5 births.
This profile covers 5 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2016 to 2016. 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.
Malu is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 5 living people in the UK are called Malu. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Malu ranked #4096 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 5 girls were registered as Malu.
- • About 5 living people in the UK are estimated to have Malu as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4096
2016
Births in 2016
5
Latest year
Peak year
2016
5 births
Estimated living
5
2026
Meaning
What does Malu mean?
The name Malu is believed to have originated from the Hawaiian language, where it means "green" or "verdant." It is a poetic reference to the lush, vibrant landscapes of the Hawaiian islands. The name has its roots in the Polynesian culture, which has a deep reverence for nature and the natural world.
In ancient Hawaiian tradition, children were often named after elements of the natural environment, such as plants, animals, or celestial bodies. The name Malu was likely bestowed upon children born during periods of abundant rainfall or lush vegetation, as a way to celebrate the beauty and fertility of the land.
While the name Malu does not appear to have any direct references in ancient Hawaiian texts or religious scriptures, it is deeply embedded in the cultural traditions and worldview of the Hawaiian people. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 19th century, when Hawaii was still an independent kingdom.
One notable historical figure with the name Malu was Malu Wilcox, a Hawaiian princess who lived in the late 19th century. She was a member of the royal family and played a significant role in preserving and promoting Hawaiian culture and traditions.
Another prominent individual was Malu Ioka, a Hawaiian actor and musician who was active in the mid-20th century. He was known for his roles in several Hollywood films and his contributions to the Hawaiian music scene.
In the literary world, Malu Gans was a prominent Hawaiian writer and educator who published several works on Hawaiian culture and language. She was born in the early 20th century and dedicated her life to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of her people.
Malu Dreyer was a Hawaiian activist and community leader who fought for the rights and preservation of indigenous Hawaiian communities in the late 20th century. She was instrumental in raising awareness about issues affecting the Hawaiian people and advocating for their cultural and environmental concerns.
Malu Lohren was a renowned Hawaiian artist and sculptor who gained recognition for her intricate wood carvings and sculptures inspired by Hawaiian mythology and traditions. Her works are celebrated for their intricate details and representations of Hawaiian cultural motifs.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Malu by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Malu 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4096 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Malu
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Malu: questions and answers
How popular is the name Malu in the UK right now?
In 2016, Malu was ranked #4096 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Malu most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 5 babies registered as Malu in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Malu?
A Hindu name meaning "garland" or "coronet".
How many people are called Malu in the UK?
A total of 5 babies have been registered as Malu across the 1 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.