malma

Malma is a term with multiple uses across languages and domains, and it does not have a single, universally accepted meaning in English. Its most concrete usage appears in biology, but it also occurs as a place name and as a personal name in various cultures.

In biology, malma is the specific epithet in Salvelinus malma, the Dolly Varden char, a freshwater fish in the salmon family. This species inhabits cold, northern streams and lakes in the Pacific drainages of North America and Asia, and there are both resident and migratory populations. In scientific naming, malma functions as a species descriptor rather than as a standalone common noun.

As a toponym, Malma appears as a place name in several countries, often denoting small settlements or districts. The use of the name in different languages reflects local geographic or historical influences, and the exact locations associated with Malma can vary by country and region.

Malma also occurs as a surname in some genealogical records and may be found as a given name in historical documents. As with many toponyms and personal names, its appearance reflects linguistic and cultural interchanges rather than a single origin.

In summary, malma can refer to a fish species epithet, several geographic localities, and occasional personal names. Without context, the term remains ambiguous, and additional detail is needed to identify the intended reference.