Malva
Fact sheet
- Name
- Malva
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Malva, traditionally used for women, likely derives from the plant term of the same name and stands for 'the mallow' or 'the hollyhock', which can be traced back to the Latin word malva.
What does the name Malva mean?
Malva is a feminine name that likely comes from the plant name of the same name and means 'the mallow' or 'the hollyhock', derived from the Latin malva. The name can also be interpreted as a diminutive of Malvina, which roughly means 'the smooth eyebrow' or 'the beautiful forehead', based on the Gaelic words mala for 'the eyebrow' and mhinn for 'smooth'. Another possible meaning derives from the Old High German words mahal, meaning 'the court' and wini for 'the friend'. Thus, Malva could also mean 'the just friend' or 'the kind speaker in public'. Other variants include Malve and Malka.
Where does the name Malva come from?
The name Malva has its origins in Latin, where it means 'the mallow' or 'the friend of justice'. The Latin formation includes malva for 'the mallow' as well as the Gaelic terms mala for 'the eyebrow', mhinn for 'smooth', and the Old High German mahal for 'the court' and wini for 'the friend'. The name is widespread in various languages, including Danish, German, Finnish, Latin American, and Swedish.
How do you pronounce Malva?
The pronunciation of Malva is two syllables and concise. In German, the name is typically pronounced as 'Mal-va' [ˈmalva]. It begins with an open A that has a warm aura. The consonant cluster '-lv-' gives the middle part a certain tension, while the open A at the end softly fades away. Malva thus appears grounded and strong in character – clear, present, and sonically stable.
When is the name day of Malva?
Malva is celebrated on January 17, which is her name day.
Popularity
In Germany, Malva enjoys great popularity and currently ranks 1,514th on the list of most common female first names. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 110 times, placing it at 2,330th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 2,613th. There are also international rankings for Malva. In Germany, the rankings in recent years were: 2024 - 1,514, 2023 - 1,810, 2022 - 3,022.
Nicknames & pet names
Malvi
Famous people
- Malva (Princess of Galnicia in 'Malva - Under the Spell of the Secret Islands' (book by Anne-Laure Bondoux)
- Malva Flores (poet)
- Malva Schalek (Austrian painter)
Frequently asked questions about the name Malva
What does the name Malva mean?
Malva means 'the mallow' or 'the hollyhock' and can also be interpreted as a diminutive of Malvina, which means 'the smooth eyebrow' or 'the beautiful forehead'.
Where does the name Malva come from?
The name Malva has its origins in Latin and is widespread in various languages, including Danish, German, Finnish, Latin American, and Swedish.
How popular is the name Malva?
The popularity of the name Malva varies by region but is increasingly gaining recognition, especially in modern naming practices.