Mala
Mala is a Sanskrit (India) girl name meaning “Garland, necklace”.
| Meaning | Garland, necklace |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Sanskrit (India) |
| Written as | माला |
| Pronunciation | MAH-lah |
| Muslim name? | Not a traditional Muslim name |
Meaning and origin of Mala
Mala comes from the Sanskrit mālā, a garland or wreath, especially a string of flowers or a strand of beads. In Indian languages the word is used for the flower garlands offered at weddings and temples and placed around the necks of honoured guests, and for strings of beads used in counting prayers in Hindu and Buddhist practice. As a name it carries ideas of beauty, honour and celebration, and the word also appears as the second part of longer compound words in Sanskrit and Hindi.
Mala has been a familiar girls' name in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka for generations, used mostly in Hindu families. Some older name lists claimed an Arabic meaning for it, but there is no Arabic word behind the name, and Arabic speakers would not recognise it as one of their own names. In Hindi and most other Indian languages it is pronounced MAA-lah, with a long first vowel. A well-known bearer is the Indian actress Mala Sinha, a leading star of Hindi cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. Muslim families drawn to the sound usually prefer names such as Malak, Manal or Maleeha.
Famous people named Mala
- Mala Sinha — Indian actress, a leading star of Hindi cinema in the 1950s and 1960s
Is Mala a Muslim name?
Mala is not a traditional Muslim name; it comes from Sanskrit and is mainly used by Hindu families. Similar-sounding names with Islamic backgrounds include Malak, Manal and Maleeha.
Where is the name Mala used?
Common in India and Nepal, mainly among Hindu families.
Gifts with the name Mala
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Spellings and variants of Mala
Muslim names similar to Mala
If you like the sound of Mala but want a name with an Islamic meaning, consider:
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More girl names like Mala
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mala mean?
Mala means 'Garland, necklace'. It comes from Sanskrit (India).
Is Mala a Muslim name?
Mala is not a traditional Muslim name; it comes from Sanskrit and is mainly used by Hindu families. Similar-sounding names with Islamic backgrounds include Malak, Manal and Maleeha.
How do you pronounce Mala?
Mala is pronounced MAH-lah.
Is Mala an Arabic name?
No. Mala comes from Sanskrit and means garland; it has no Arabic root.
Is Mala mentioned in the Quran?
No. Mala is not a Quranic or classical Islamic name.