Like God?
Machala is a rare variant of Michaela, the feminine form of Michael. It derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, which is a rhetorical question implying that no one is equal to the Creator. While very uncommon in the United States, it retains the strong spiritual heritage of its root name.
Less common today
Machala isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #7,961 in 1998.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
