Dakota vs Malia

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Dakota

Girl #273 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"friendly one, ally"

Origin: Sioux/Lakota language

Cultural Roots

American Native American (Sioux)

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#273
Total SSA Count
1,155
Syllables
3
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Dak, Kota

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Dakota →

Malia

Girl #327 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"calm, peaceful"

Origin: Hawaiian

Cultural Roots

Hawaiian African American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#327
Total SSA Count
946
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mali, Lia, Mia

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Malia →

Popularity Comparison

Dakota Rank #273
Malia Rank #327

Dakota is more popular, ranked #273 vs #327 for Malia.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dakota ___

  • Dakota Rose
  • Dakota Grace
  • Dakota Mae
  • Dakota Lynn
  • Dakota Jade
  • Dakota Rae

Malia ___

  • Malia Rose
  • Malia Grace
  • Malia Kai
  • Malia Ann
  • Malia Elena

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Dakota

Cheyenne Sienna Savannah River Colt

If you choose Malia

Kalia Koa Leilani Keanu Nalu

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dakota or Malia more popular?

Dakota is more popular, ranked #273 compared to Malia at #327 in the United States.

What do Dakota and Malia mean?

Dakota means "friendly one, ally" (Sioux/Lakota language origin). Malia means "calm, peaceful" (Hawaiian origin).

Are Dakota and Malia boy or girl names?

Dakota is primarily a girl name. Malia is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Dakota ← Full profile: Malia Browse all baby names