Malcom Boy

Popularity: #847 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAL-kum //ˈmæl.kəm//

Origin: Scottish; Gaelic

Meaning: Scottish: devotee of Saint Columba; Gaelic: servant of Columba

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Malcom has its roots in the Gaelic name Maolmhuire, which translates to 'devotee of Mary.' This name evolved through various linguistic forms, including the Old Gaelic Maolmhuire, which was adapted into the Anglicized Malcolm in the Middle Ages. The transition into English occurred during the 12th century, influenced by the Norman Conquest, which brought many Gaelic names into the English-speaking world.

The name is often associated with the Scottish royal lineage, particularly Malcolm III, who ruled from 1058 to 1093 and was a significant figure in the unification of Scotland. Malcolm III, also known as Malcolm Canmore, is a pivotal historical figure, recognized for his efforts to consolidate power in Scotland and for his marriage to Margaret of Wessex, who later became Saint Margaret.

Their union is often credited with bringing about significant cultural and religious reforms in Scotland. The name Malcolm gained further prominence through its association with Scottish nobility and literature, appearing in works such as Shakespeare's "Macbeth," where Malcolm is depicted as a rightful heir to the throne, symbolizing justice and rightful leadership.

The name has maintained cultural resonance over the centuries, often symbolizing strength and loyalty. In Scottish tradition, the name is sometimes linked to the concept of a devoted follower or servant, reflecting its etymological roots.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Mal or Malky have emerged in various contexts, showcasing the name's adaptability and continued relevance in different cultures. Overall, Malcolm's historical significance and cultural associations have contributed to its enduring presence in various societies.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Malcom, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AlistairGrahamFergusEwanAngusDuncan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Malcom. 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.

MalachaiMasonMiloMarcusMaxwellMaddoxMarek

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Malcom was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Malcom has ranked as high as #1738 nationally, which occurred in 1992, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Malcom has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Malcom 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 Malcom was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Malcom.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 91 91
2024 95 95
2023 90 90
2022 83 83
2021 74 74
2020 81 81
2019 80 80
2018 48 48
2017 39 39
2016 39 39
2015 49 49
2014 26 26
2013 40 40
2012 44 44
2011 49 49
2010 45 45
2009 30 30
2008 58 58
2007 63 63
2006 59 59
2005 47 47
2004 61 61
2003 50 50
2002 65 65
2001 62 62
2000 59 59
1999 80 80
1998 78 78
1997 101 101
1996 89 89
1995 82 82
1994 114 114
1993 124 124
1992 186 186
1991 139 139
1990 137 137
1989 107 107
1988 81 81
1987 66 66
1986 70 70
1985 34 34
1984 34 34
1983 18 18
1982 28 28
1981 31 31
1980 23 23
1979 33 33
1978 39 39
1977 31 31
1976 32 32
1975 28 28
1974 42 42
1973 29 29
1972 43 43
1971 34 34
1970 37 37
1969 31 31
1968 27 27
1967 30 30
1966 49 49
1965 69 69
1964 44 44
1963 51 51
1962 47 47
1961 47 47
1960 54 54
1959 55 55
1958 64 64
1957 63 63
1956 64 64
1955 57 57
1954 53 53
1953 48 48
1952 42 42
1951 41 41
1950 42 42
1949 37 37
1948 29 29
1947 20 20
1946 29 29
1945 31 31
1944 20 20
1943 35 35
1942 27 27
1941 35 35
1940 35 35
1939 31 31
1938 37 37
1937 24 24
1936 28 28
1935 32 32
1934 23 23
1933 43 43
1932 33 33
1931 41 41
1930 40 40
1929 40 40
1928 53 53
1927 45 45
1926 42 42
1925 43 43
1924 44 44
1923 30 30
1922 42 42
1921 43 43
1920 48 48
1919 29 29
1918 32 32
1917 34 34
1916 30 30
1915 28 28
1914 21 21
1913 21 21
1912 24 24
1911 10 10
1910 13 13
1909 9 9
1908 7 7
1907 5 5
1905 6 6
1904 8 8
1898 7 7
1897 5 5
1896 5 5
1894 8 8
1885 5 5
1884 6 6
1883 6 6
1882 5 5
1880 5 5

Top States for Malcom (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 10
22%
TX 10
22%
OH 6
13%
FL 5
11%
IA 5
11%
IN 5
11%
WI 5
11%