Our Malaysian name database contains 3.187 Malaysian surnames and 13.136 Malaysian first names categorized by gender and frequency. After payment you can download the Malaysian name database in CSV, SQL or JSON format. Asia is not very well organised and only have a few open data initiatives. The list of names from countries like Malaysia have a reasonable quality but are limited. The Malaysian names are validated using official governmental databases we received in other countries which contained Malaysian names as well. To create the Malaysian name database we used 56.109 validated Malaysian social media profiles. We have a detailed explanation of our methodology and illustrate our approach with several examples.

Popular Malaysian surnames

This table show popular Malaysian surnames. In Malaysia, surnames typically follow a person's first name and are often passed down from the father's side of the family. Some Malaysians may also adopt a Muslim name as their surname, indicating their conversion to Islam. In Chinese and Indian communities, surnames may also indicate their ethnic background. It is also common for married women to take on their husband's surname.

Surname Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Tan 709 1.3% Singaporean Turkish American
Lee 630 1.1% American British South Korean
Lim 549 1.0% Singaporean American Filipino
Wong 522 0.9% American Hong Konger Canadian
Ahmad 406 0.7% Pakistani Indian Indonesian
Ng 377 0.7% American Singaporean Hong Konger
Ismail 304 0.5% Egyptian Indonesian Nigerian
Chan 294 0.5% American Hong Konger British
Abdullah 252 0.4% Saudi Arabian Pakistani Egyptian
Chong 247 0.4% American Singaporean British
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 56.109 Malaysian social media profiles.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this surname also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Malaysian first names

In Malaysia, parents typically pick a first name for their child based on cultural and religious customs. Muslim parents often choose Arabic names with religious significance, while non-Muslim parents may choose names from other cultures or languages. Some parents also choose names that reflect their family heritage or personal preferences. Ultimately, the decision is often made by the parents in consultation with family members and close friends.

Popular Malaysian male names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Muhammad 993 2.9% Pakistani Indonesian Nigerian
Mohd 986 2.9% Indian Emirati Saudi Arabian
Ahmad 454 1.3% Indonesian Pakistani Egyptian
Nurul 380 1.1% Indonesian Bangladeshi Indian
Mohamad 314 0.9% Lebanese Egyptian Iranian
Amirul 271 0.8% Bangladeshi Indonesian Indian
Khairul 245 0.7% Indonesian Bangladeshi Indian
Muhamad 236 0.7% Indonesian Iraqi Egyptian
Amir 209 0.6% Pakistani Iranian American
Adam 196 0.6% American British Canadian
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 56.109 Malaysian social media profiles from which 34.296 (61%) is male.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Popular Malaysian female names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Nur 395 1.8% Turkish Indonesian Bangladeshi
Wan 205 0.9% American Indonesian Brazilian
Firdaus 191 0.9% Indonesian Indian Singaporean
Farah 156 0.7% Egyptian American British
Siti 155 0.7% Indonesian American Singaporean
Sarah 120 0.6% British American Canadian
Michelle 103 0.5% American British Canadian
Nor 100 0.5% Egyptian Indonesian American
Nadia 98 0.4% American British Argentinean
Fatin 89 0.4% Indonesian Iraqi Turkish
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 56.109 Malaysian social media profiles from which 21.813 (39%) is female.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.