malaika

Malaika is a name and a word of Swahili origin meaning “angel.” In Swahili-speaking regions, and among African and diaspora communities influenced by Swahili, Malaika is commonly used as a feminine given name. The term can also appear in various cultural contexts and has been adopted by people outside East Africa as a personal or stage name.

The name Malaika is sometimes encountered in music and popular culture. One well-known East African song titled Malaika is a romantic Swahili composition believed to have originated in the region in the mid-20th century. It gained international attention through performances by artists such as Miriam Makeba. The song is frequently associated with composer credit to Fadhili Williams, though there are competing accounts of its authorship, reflecting common disputes around folk and popular melodies from the era.

Notable people with the given name Malaika include Malaika Arora, an Indian actress, model, and media personality who has been a prominent figure in Indian television and film. The name has also appeared in various literary and artistic works, where it is often used to convey themes of grace, beauty, and otherworldly qualities associated with angels.

In summary, Malaika serves as a culturally rich Swahili name with positive connotations, widely used across Africa and the African diaspora, and it also appears in African and world music as a title and subject.