Who is Malala named after?

In her critically acclaimed autobiography I Am Malala (full title: I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban), Malala Yousafzai uncovers that she was named after Malalai of Maiwand—a female warrior and national Afghani heroine. Malalai is celebrated in Afghani history and folklore because she managed to gather and organize the Afghani fighting troops against the British Army at the Battle of Maiwand, in July 1800, which was one of the most important battles of the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Because of her bravery, her fearlessness, and her courage, Malalai is commonly regarded as “The Afghan Joan of Arc.” The name Malala is of Pashto origin (Eastern Iranian language) and literally means someone who is sad or grieving.