Origin, Meaning, And History Of Mahalia
Mahalia is a feminine variant of the name Mahlah, which is said to have derived from the root word hala, which in its verb form carries different meanings such as ‘pierce,’ ‘a hole drilled in the wall for illumination,’ or ‘a musical instrument with holes like a pipe or flute.’ Whereas the noun form mehilla means ‘a cave’ or ‘a hollow depression.’
The name is shared by multiple Biblical characters. The lineage of the first woman to bear this name is unknown. Meanwhile, the second woman with this name was identified as one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, with the others being Tirzah, Milcah, Hoglah, and Noah. However, the popular Biblical meaning associated with the above-mentioned character is ‘sickness.’ Interestingly, Zelophehad didn’t intend to mean that his daughter was a disease when he named her “sickness.” Instead, he may have been referring to the fact that she was born during a period of weakness, or wanted her to serve as a reminder to himself and others that illness is always a part of human existence.
Some popular variants of Mahalia in other languages and cultures include Maeleth, Maala in Biblical Greek, Maeleth, Maala in Biblical Latin, Mahalath, Mahlah(Biblical), and Machalat, Machlah in Biblical Hebrew.
The name also finds mention in popular culture. Mahalia is a novel by the Australian writer Joanne Horniman published in 2001, known for penning children’s novels. Mahalia is a character from the popular Japanese anime TV seriesMobile Suit Victory Gundam. She is a Shrike team pilot and an orphan who becomes popular for her bravery in the narrative known for its violent conflict.
Mahalia is a unique name that carries significant meaning and remains a popular name in the US.
Mahalia
How To Pronounce Mahalia?
Famous People With The Name Mahalia
- Mahalia Violet BarnesAustralian singer and songwriter who was a part of the children’s pop group The Tin Lids
- Mahalia BeloEnglish film and television director, known for his psychological thriller series Requiem
- Mahalia BurkmarBritish singer, songwriter, and actress, known for her album Love and Compromise
- Mahalia CassidyAustralian netball player in the Suncorp Super Netball league who plays for the Sunshin Coast Lightning
- Mahalia JacksonAmerican gospel singer who is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century
Mahalia On The Popularity Chart
After faring poorly in the 1980s, it saw a resurgence in recent years. Look at the graphs below to see how Mahalia performed over the years.
Popularity Over Time
From only six babies per million in 1982, it witnessed an all-time high of 65 babies per million sharing the name in 2020.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name was ranked 2934 in 2021 after an abysmal performance during the 1980s. Check out the graph for detailed insights.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Mahalia
If you liked the sound of Mahalia, you will love the following similar-sounding names. Check them out.
Popular Sibling Names For Mahalia
Other Popular Names Beginning With M
Names With Similar Meaning As Mahalia
Mahalia is a name with an intriguing meaning. Here are some more names that share similar meanings.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Mahalia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the name Mahalia?
The name Mahalia means ‘tenderness.’
What is the origin of the name Mahalia?
Mahalia has a Hebrew origin.
How to pronounce the name Mahalia?
Mahalia is pronounced as ‘muh-hey-lee-uh.’
Is Mahalia a popular baby name choice?
According to the US Social Security Administration records, as of 2022, the name Mahalia does not feature within the top 1000 popular baby names in the US. This indicates that the name is not popular in the US (1).
References:
- Popularity of name Mahalia;
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
