Maltese Given Names and Their European and Arabic Roots

The Linguistic Roots of Maltese Names

The Maltese language (Malti) is unique in Europe. It evolved from an Arabic dialect but is written using the Latin alphabet. Over the centuries, the language was heavily influenced by Sicilian, Italian, and later English. This blend is clearly visible in its given names.

Many traditional names in Malta are deeply influenced by Catholicism and correspond to the names of saints venerated on the island. These names often have Latin, Greek, or Hebrew roots, but have been adapted to Maltese spelling and pronunciation. At the same time, one finds names of Arabic origin as well as modern English given names that arrived on the island during the British colonial period.

Typical Names in Malta and Their Origins

Here is a selection of given names traditionally or currently used in Malta, along with their respective derivations:

• Ġorġ: The Maltese form of Georg (George). The Ancient Greek root "georgos" means "farmworker" or "farmer."
• Karmenu: Traces back to the Hebrew term "Karmel" (orchard/garden). The name demonstrates the strong Catholic influence in Malta through devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
• Katarina: The Maltese spelling of Katharina (Catherine). The name goes back to the Greek word "katharos," which means "pure."
• Kelinu: The name is widely interpreted as a Maltese diminutive of Mikiel (Michael). Its use as an independent given name on the island is historically established, while the precise etymological chain has gaps.
• Lonza: A traditional Maltese short form that can be linked to various longer names such as Lorenza or Leonza. A single definitive meaning would be overly speculative here.
• Luċija: The Maltese form of Lucia. It is based on the Latin word "lux," which means "light."
• Manwel: The Maltese spelling of Manuel, an established short form of Immanuel. The Hebrew root means "God is with us."
• Marija: The Maltese spelling of Maria (Mary). The name is deeply rooted in the island's history and traces back to the Hebrew name family Mirjam.
• Ninu: This name is often interpreted as a short form of Antoninu. However, it can also have arisen from other names of Italian origin ending in "-ninu," meaning the exact derivation varies from case to case.
• Pawlu: The Maltese variant of Paul. It is derived from the Latin "paulus," which means "small" or "humble."
• Peppi: Documented as a Maltese and Southern Italian pet form of Ġużeppi (Joseph). The Hebrew root means "God adds."
• Ritianne: This combination, common in Malta, usually goes back to the names Rita and Anne. An older, independent word meaning for this exact compound is not conclusively verified.
• Roża: The Maltese form of Rosa (Rose). The name is directly derived from the Latin word for "rose."
• Salvu: A Maltese short form of Salvatur. The Latin root "salvator" means "savior" and refers in the Christian context to Jesus.
• Saverju: The Maltese form of Xaver (Xavier). The Basque base "etxe berri" means "new house."
• Tumas: The Maltese form of Thomas. The Aramaic root "ta'oma" means "twin."
• Xandru: Documented as a Maltese short form of Alexander. The Greek root is composed of "alexéin" (to protect) and "aner" (man).
• Ylenia: Ylenia is a spelling variant of Ilenia. It is presumed to be a derivation of Elena. The exact origin is unexplained; a fixed translation such as “sunbeam” cannot be reliably verified.
• Zaren: This given name is often interpreted as a short form of Nazzarenu (the Nazarene). Another common interpretation views it as an independent Maltese formation, which is why a single derivation is not certain.

Maltese Letters and German Spelling

If you decide on a Maltese given name, you should keep the special characteristics of Maltese orthography in mind. The Maltese alphabet contains letters with diacritical marks that do not exist in German and alter the pronunciation:

• x: Is pronounced in Maltese like the German "sch" (similar to English "sh"). So you pronounce Xandru as "Schandru."
• ċ: Is pronounced like "tsch" (English "ch"). Luċija therefore sounds like "Lutschija."
• ġ: Represents a soft "dsch" sound, similar to the "j" in English "George." You pronounce Ġorġ as "Dschordsch."
• ż: Is pronounced as a voiced, soft "s" (as in German "Sonne" or English "zebra"), while the standard "z" sounds like "ts."

For everyday life in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, parents often face the question of how to register these names. Under German registry law and in many registry offices (Standesämter), diacritical marks such as the dot over the "g" or "c" may not be readily accepted in civil status registers. A practical solution is to register the names in their standardized Latin form without the diacritics (such as Gorg instead of Ġorġ or Lucija instead of Luċija). Alternatively, you can choose the Italian or English original form if you primarily love the sound.

How to Make a Decision Together

A name from another linguistic background often requires a bit more coordination between you as parents, especially regarding spelling and how it pairs with your last name. Write down your favorites and say them out loud—including with a potential middle name—to check the rhythm.

To make the selection easier, you can use the HeyName app. Connect your devices via invitation and use the filter functions to search specifically by origin, length, or first letter. You can independently rate the suggested names as "Favorite," "Maybe," or "Not a match." Names that both of you mark as favorites will appear as shared matches. This lets you immediately see which Maltese or Mediterranean names you both agree on, allowing you to discuss this shortlist together. Try out the given name directly with your last name and conveniently compare up to three favorites side by side until your decision is made.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

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