Explore the Family Name Mali
The meaning of Mali
1. Slovenian: nickname for a physically small man, from mali, the definite form of mal ‘small, little’ (see Mal 1). Compare Maley 3, Mallie 1, and Mally 1. 2. Albanian: from the personal name Mal (definite form Mali), from mal ‘mountain’, and probably also a topographic name based on this word (definite form mali). 3. Indian (mainly northern states): metonymic occupational name from Sanskrit mala ‘garland’. Traditionally, bearers of this name were growers of flowers and vegetables.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Mali in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Mali has seen a significant increase in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it ranked 68,569th on the list of most common surnames, but by 2010, it had jumped to 46,487th, marking a 32.2% change. The number of individuals with this surname also increased during this period, with a count of 268 in 2000 growing to 458 in 2010 — a 70.9% increase. Furthermore, for every 100,000 people, the proportion bearing the surname Mali rose by 60%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #68,569 | #46,487 | 32.2% |
| Count | 268 | 458 | 70.9% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.1 | 0.16 | 60% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Mali
When looking at the ethnic identity associated with the surname Mali, data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows some interesting shifts between 2000 and 2010. The percentage of those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander grew from 41.79% to 47.16%, an increase of 12.85%. On the other hand, there was a notable decrease of 25.18% among those identifying as White, shifting from 45.52% in 2000 to 34.06% in 2010. The representation of the Hispanic ethnicity more than doubled, going up from 2.61% to 5.68%, while the Black demographic grew from 5.97% to 9.39%. No changes were registered for those identifying with two or more races or as American Indian and Alaskan Native.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 41.79% | 47.16% | 12.85% |
| White | 45.52% | 34.06% | -25.18% |
| Black | 5.97% | 9.39% | 57.29% |
| Hispanic | 2.61% | 5.68% | 117.62% |
| Two or More Races | 4.1% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |