Malmivaara is a Finnish-language surname. Notable people with the surname include:

• Arvi Malmivaara (1885–1970), Finnish Lutheran clergyman and politician
• Laura Malmivaara (born 1973), Finnish actress
• Malla Malmivaara (born 1982), Finnish actress and singer
• Olli Malmivaara (born 1982), Finnish ice hockey player
• Tatu Malmivaara (1908–1987), Finnish Lutheran clergyman and politician
• Väinö Malmivaara (1879–1958), Finnish Lutheran bishop
• Wilhelmi Malmivaara (1854–1922), Finnish Lutheran priest