Maleah

Maleah is an English variant of the Hebrew name Malia, itself a contracted form of Mahalia, derived from the Hebrew root meaning tender affection or perhaps marrow, signifying softness and strength. It is closely related to the names Mahalia, made famous by the celebrated American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and Malia, the Hawaiian adaptation of Mary. Maleah emerged as a distinct spelling in modern American usage, reflecting a broader trend of phonetic respelling for aesthetic individuality. Related forms include Maliah, Malia, and Mahalia.