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Malinalli

Girl name · Mexican

Meaningtwisted grass · Nahuatl

Malinalli is a Mexican girl name meaning “twisted grass”, with Nahuatl roots. Nahuatl was the language of the Aztecs, and its names often honor nature, the sky or the seasons. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name.

Did you know?

  • Hidden namesLook closely: Malinalli has the name Alina hiding inside it.
  • GenerationMalinalli peaked in 2010, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Malinalli you'd meet today is about 15 years old.
  • HistoryMalinalli first shows up in US birth records in 2010, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
Baby in a floral onesie lying on a bed
hello, little Malinalli

US births per million girls, 2010–2025

02.5520102024

Similar names

Girl name: MaliaUnisex name: MalloryGirl name: MalaniGirl name: MaliyahGirl name: MalayaGirl name: Malaysia
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).

About the name Malinalli

Malinalli is a girl name of Mexican origin meaning “twisted grass”. With 4 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, and plenty of room for a nickname, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.

Origin:Mexican names

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Questions about the name Malinalli

What does the name Malinalli mean?

Malinalli means “twisted grass” and comes from Nahuatl.

What is the origin of the name Malinalli?

Malinalli is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Nahuatl. Other Mexican names to consider are Olivia (“olive tree”), Emma (“whole, universal”), Amelia (“work, industrious”) and Mia (“possibly beloved”).

Is Malinalli a boy or girl name?

Malinalli is a girl name.

How popular is the name Malinalli?

Malinalli is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2024. It peaked at #12,276 in 2010, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.

What should I know before naming my baby Malinalli?

Malinalli is a Mexican girl name meaning “twisted grass”, with Nahuatl roots. Nahuatl was the language of the Aztecs, and its names often honor nature, the sky or the seasons. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.