English, especially in the southern US states, derived probably from two male names which appear in the bible: Mahali (OT: Exodus 6:19) and Mahalah (OT: 1 Chronicles 7:18).

The Hebrew meaning of these names is not clear. Various websites suggests "weak" or "tender" but there is no consensus. Some suggest the two ancient names, which survive to some extent, are also used for females.