"tower, elevated place"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Malena
Pronunciation: [ m-AL-ihn-uh ]
Does Malena flow with your last name?
A melodic Mediterranean name with deep biblical roots
Spanish
Italian
Scandinavian
Swedish
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"woman from Magdala"
Origin: Hebrew/Aramaic
Language: Aramaic
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the 2000 Italian film Malèna starring Monica Bellucci, which features themes of sexuality and wartime; mostly positive artistic association
The Story of Malena
Malena is a Scandinavian and Spanish diminutive of Magdalena, derived from the Hebrew place name Magdala meaning tower or elevated, great place. Mary Magdalene was a significant figure in early Christianity from the town of Magdala. The name traveled from Hebrew through Greek and Latin into European languages, where it took on many local forms including the lovely, lyrical Malena.
Malena is well-established in Sweden and Scandinavian countries as a given name. In Spanish-speaking cultures it appears as both a given name and nickname. The 2000 film Malèna brought international attention to the name.
In Scandinavian countries, Malena has been a standard girls' name for generations. In Sweden, singer Malena Ernman (mother of Greta Thunberg) brought the name to wider international attention.
Historical Record
Malena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,954 babies have been named Malena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Malena is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,463 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Malena Ernman is a Swedish opera singer and the mother of climate activist Greta Thunberg
- Magdala was an ancient city on the Sea of Galilee
- The film Malèna (2000) won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film
Malena in Other Languages
Hebrew
מגדלנה
Italian
Malena
Spanish
Malena
Swedish
Malena
Popularity Over Time
#2,463
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Malena
M
Malena Ernman
Musician
1970
Swedish opera singer and mother of climate activist Greta Thunberg
M
Malena Fictional
Other
Title character of the 2000 Italian film Malèna, played by Monica Bellucci, set in wartime Sicily
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Compare Malena with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,463
- Total SSA Count
- 73
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Italian Scandinavian Swedish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mala
Lena
Mel
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Scandinavian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Scandinavian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Malena
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Celtic origin
"wave"
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Latin origin
"adored, beloved"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Malena
What does the name Malena mean?
"tower, elevated place" (from Hebrew). "woman from Magdala" (from Hebrew/Aramaic). Malena is a Scandinavian and Spanish diminutive of Magdalena, derived from the Hebrew place name Magdala meaning tower or elevated, great place. Mary Magdalene was a significant figure in early Christianity from the town of Magdala. The name traveled from Hebrew through Greek and Latin into European languages, where it took on many local forms including the lovely, lyrical Malena.
What is the origin of the name Malena?
Malena has Hebrew, Hebrew/Aramaic, Spanish, Italian, Scandinavian, and Swedish origins. In Hebrew, it means "tower, elevated place". In Hebrew/Aramaic, it means "woman from Magdala".
Is Malena a boy or girl name?
Malena is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Malena?
Malena is pronounced m-AL-ihn-uh.
How popular is the name Malena?
Malena is currently ranked #2463 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Malena?
Common nicknames for Malena include Mala, Lena, and Mel.
What are good middle names for Malena?
Popular middle name pairings include Malena Sofia, Malena Lucia, Malena Isabel, Malena Elena, Malena Rosa, and Malena Gracia.
What are good sibling names for Malena?
Names that pair well with Malena as siblings include Elena, Rafael, Carlos, Isabel, Lorenzo, and Valentina.
How many syllables does Malena have?
Malena has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Malena a common or rare name?
Malena is an uncommon name, ranked #2463 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Malena?
About the Name Malena
Malena is a girl name with Spanish, Italian, Scandinavian, and Swedish origins . The name means "tower, elevated place" in Hebrew .
Malena is currently ranked #2,463 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Malena has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-AL-ihn-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Malena include Mala, Lena, and Mel. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Malena include Maleah, Maleni, Maleia, Malea, Maleena . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis