Mahlon Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAH-lon //ˈmeɪ.lɒn//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: sickly; weak
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mahlon has its roots in Hebrew, deriving from the word "mahal" which means "sick" or "weak." This etymology is significant as it reflects the historical context in which the name was used, particularly in biblical narratives. The name appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ruth, where Mahlon is one of the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, who moved to Moab during a famine.
The Hebrew form of the name was transliterated into Greek as "Maalon" in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, which further influenced its adoption into Latin and subsequently into Old French before entering the English lexicon. Mahlon’s biblical association provides a historical milestone for the name, as it is linked to a narrative that has been significant in Jewish and Christian traditions for centuries.
The story of Ruth, which includes Mahlon, has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, emphasizing themes of loyalty, family, and redemption. The name's appearance in this prominent biblical text has contributed to its recognition and endurance in various cultures that hold the Bible in high regard.
Culturally, Mahlon carries connotations of vulnerability and resilience, reflecting the trials faced by its biblical namesake. The name has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing the complexities of human experience.
While diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, such as "Mally," they are less commonly referenced in historical texts. Overall, Mahlon encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, rooted deeply in its biblical origins.
Famous people named Mahlon
In this section, you will find notable people named Mahlon. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mahlon who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mahlon who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mahlon Hoagland is a biochemist best known for his work on the structure of transfer RNA and contributions to molecular biology.
Mahlon Smith is a musician best known for his performances with various jazz ensembles and contributions to the jazz genre.
Fictional characters named Mahlon
The following list of fictional characters named Mahlon is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mahlon is a fictional character from the biblical narrative in the Book of Ruth. He is the husband of Ruth and the son of Elimelech and Naomi, whose death sets the stage for Ruth's journey and eventual redemption.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mahlon, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mahlon. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mahlon was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Mahlon has ranked as high as #774 nationally, which occurred in 1919, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Mahlon has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mahlon is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mahlon was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mahlon (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 10 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mahlon.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2023 | 45 |
| 2022 | 52 |
| 2021 | 49 |
| 2020 | 37 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2018 | 53 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2014 | 37 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2011 | 46 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2008 | 34 |
| 2007 | 49 |
| 2006 | 43 |
| 2005 | 37 |
| 2004 | 34 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2002 | 45 |
| 2001 | 51 |
| 2000 | 43 |
| 1999 | 42 |
| 1998 | 37 |
| 1997 | 48 |
| 1996 | 40 |
| 1995 | 35 |
| 1994 | 30 |
| 1993 | 36 |
| 1992 | 34 |
| 1991 | 39 |
| 1990 | 37 |
| 1989 | 30 |
| 1988 | 25 |
| 1987 | 31 |
| 1986 | 32 |
| 1985 | 23 |
| 1984 | 25 |
| 1983 | 32 |
| 1982 | 28 |
| 1981 | 30 |
| 1980 | 30 |
| 1979 | 27 |
| 1978 | 22 |
| 1977 | 34 |
| 1976 | 33 |
| 1975 | 33 |
| 1974 | 23 |
| 1973 | 20 |
| 1972 | 29 |
| 1971 | 25 |
| 1970 | 34 |
| 1969 | 26 |
| 1968 | 23 |
| 1967 | 29 |
| 1966 | 28 |
| 1965 | 28 |
| 1964 | 37 |
| 1963 | 25 |
| 1962 | 29 |
| 1961 | 39 |
| 1960 | 32 |
| 1959 | 42 |
| 1958 | 36 |
| 1957 | 33 |
| 1956 | 38 |
| 1955 | 38 |
| 1954 | 38 |
| 1953 | 50 |
| 1952 | 57 |
| 1951 | 50 |
| 1950 | 46 |
| 1949 | 77 |
| 1948 | 75 |
| 1947 | 52 |
| 1946 | 43 |
| 1945 | 47 |
| 1944 | 52 |
| 1943 | 44 |
| 1942 | 60 |
| 1941 | 65 |
| 1940 | 53 |
| 1939 | 56 |
| 1938 | 63 |
| 1937 | 61 |
| 1936 | 53 |
| 1935 | 62 |
| 1934 | 75 |
| 1933 | 68 |
| 1932 | 70 |
| 1931 | 69 |
| 1930 | 71 |
| 1929 | 78 |
| 1928 | 66 |
| 1927 | 79 |
| 1926 | 80 |
| 1925 | 84 |
| 1924 | 83 |
| 1923 | 90 |
| 1922 | 91 |
| 1921 | 81 |
| 1920 | 93 |
| 1919 | 95 |
| 1918 | 71 |
| 1917 | 90 |
| 1916 | 79 |
| 1915 | 68 |
| 1914 | 36 |
| 1913 | 40 |
| 1912 | 29 |
| 1911 | 20 |
| 1910 | 17 |
| 1909 | 13 |
| 1908 | 10 |
| 1907 | 12 |
| 1906 | 12 |
| 1905 | 8 |
| 1904 | 11 |
| 1903 | 7 |
| 1902 | 11 |
| 1901 | 10 |
| 1900 | 6 |
| 1899 | 9 |
| 1897 | 9 |
| 1896 | 18 |
| 1895 | 12 |
| 1894 | 7 |
| 1893 | 5 |
| 1892 | 10 |
| 1891 | 12 |
| 1890 | 5 |
| 1889 | 8 |
| 1888 | 8 |
| 1887 | 6 |
| 1886 | 9 |
| 1885 | 6 |
| 1884 | 12 |
| 1883 | 13 |
| 1882 | 12 |
| 1881 | 7 |
| 1880 | 14 |