Malakai
How to say it: muh-LY-ky · /məˈlaɪkaɪ/
Variant spelling of Malachi, from Hebrew Mal'akhi meaning 'my messenger' or 'my angel'.
Malakai was the 79th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,657 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 31% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #70 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #79 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 1,657 |
| Share of births | 1 in 705 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +31% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #70 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
A recent arrival in wide use, Malakai peaked in the 2020s. At its height now, it should continue upward.
What goes with it
Strong and biblical, with both soft and crisp edges. Ezekiel pairs alongside it, while Kai works as a short form.
Middle names that flow with Malakai →
Nicknames
- Mal
- Kai
- Mala
Honouring a Malakai in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Malakai is about 1 in 30.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Hebrew.
England and Wales: #357.
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