The name of Malenka

The immigration manifest for my great-grandfather's sister mentions her leaving behind a sister named Malenka. I tried looking up this name but couldn't find it. On searches it seems to be associated with Ukrainian dances. Is this really a name? BTW the family was Lemko from Podkarpackie (Subcarpathian) Voivodeship, Poland. Dziekuje to anyone who can help.

It should be "Malenka" - it means "Tiny, small" (as said to a female).

Maleńka would be 'little one'

Did you leave anyone behind ? Yes, Maleńka [my little sister]

Maleńka/Malanka has been used instead of a real name.


I could be wrong though.

that's were my parents are from.

Malanka is an fairly rare Ukrainian name.
It is also an Ukrainian New Year dance. Ukrainians say (in Poland and in Canada) that they are going to Malanka, because Malanka celebrates her name day od Dec 31.

But I could be wrong. Malanka is a female Ukrainian name though

Thanks for the replies. I don't think she was referring to her young sister, as Malanka was married. If the parish responds, information about Malanka should be included, as I requested info about my great-grandfather's siblings.

Another possibility is that Malanka/Malenka was a younger half-sister, hence the different last name. Did Poles/Lemkos normally remarry back in the late 1800's if their spouse died? Was it against the social code back then? People were a lot fussier back then, so that's why I asked. Dziekuje.