Malcolm
Scottish · Boy · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Malcolm
Malcolm derives from the Gaelic name Maelcolm, composed of "mael" (servant) and "colm" (dove), literally meaning "servant of Saint Columba." The name is predominantly Scottish and Irish, historically borne by medieval Scottish kings and later adopted across English-speaking cultures, with particular prominence in African American communities during the 20th century.
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Etymology
Malcolm derives from the Gaelic name Maelcolm, composed of "mael" (servant) and "colm" (dove), literally meaning "servant of Saint Columba." The name is predominantly Scottish and Irish, historically borne by medieval Scottish kings and later adopted across English-speaking cultures, with particular prominence in African American communities during the 20th century.
Malcolm currently ranks #272 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1992.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
Scottish, English names that sit beautifully beside MalcolmSimilar names you might like
Names starting with MMore names starting with M
- Mack
- Madelen
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- Madhuri
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- Maddy
- Madeleine
- Madan
- Maaike
- Maarten
- Macarena
- Madeline
- Madelyn
- Mackenzie
- Mae
- Macaulay
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Names that sound like Malcolm
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"The name Malcoln is a variant spelling of Malcolm, derived from the Scottish Gaelic "Maol Chaluim," combining "maol" (servant/bald) and…"
"Malkiel derives from Hebrew roots "melech" (king) and "el" (God), meaning "God is my king" or "my king is God."…"
""Malcolmjamal" is a compound name combining "Malcolm" (from Scottish Gaelic *Máel Choluim*, meaning "devotee of Saint Columba") and "Jamal" (from…"
"Milja-Elina is a compound Scandinavian name combining "Milja" (a diminutive form related to Mildred, meaning "gentle strength") and "Elina" (derived…"
"Milja-Liina is a Finnish compound name combining "Milja" (a diminutive of Millicent, meaning "strong in battle" from Germanic roots) and…"
"Malkolm is a Scottish form of Malcolm, derived from the Gaelic "Maol Chaluim," meaning "devotee of Saint Columba" (maol =…"
"Melek-Elisa combines "Melek" (from Arabic *malik*, meaning "king" or "angel") with "Elisa" (from Hebrew *Elisha*, meaning "God is my salvation")."
"Melek-Liya combines "Melek" (meaning "king" or "angel" from Arabic/Turkish) with "Liya" (a Hebrew name meaning "weary" or "tired," sometimes used…"
"Melek-Sultan combines the Arabic "melek" (king/angel) and Persian "sultan" (ruler/authority), meaning "king-ruler" or "angel-sultan." The name was used in Ottoman…"
"Melik-Alparslan combines two Persian/Turkish elements: "Melik" (Persian: ملک, meaning "king" or "ruler") and "Alparslan" (Turkish: ألپ ارسلان, meaning "brave lion,"…"
"Melisa-Elena combines "Melisa" (derived from Greek "melissa," meaning "honey bee") with "Elena" (from Greek "Helene," meaning "torch" or "bright one")."