Emma vs Maliyah

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Maliyah

Girl #587 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, calm waters"

Origin: Hawaiian/Hebrew

Cultural Roots

African-American Hawaiian Swahili-speaking

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#587
Total SSA Count
515
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mali, Mali, Lia

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maliyah →

Popularity Comparison

Emma Rank #2
Maliyah Rank #587

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #587 for Maliyah.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Maliyah ___

  • Maliyah Rose
  • Maliyah Jade
  • Maliyah Faith
  • Maliyah Grace
  • Maliyah Nicole
  • Maliyah Simone

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

If you choose Maliyah

Aaliyah Zara Amara Isaiah Elijah

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 Emma or Maliyah more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Maliyah at #587 in the United States.

What do Emma and Maliyah mean?

Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin). Maliyah means "beloved, calm waters" (Hawaiian/Hebrew origin).

Are Emma and Maliyah boy or girl names?

Emma is primarily a girl name. Maliyah is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Emma ← Full profile: Maliyah Browse all baby names