Malcolm

Meaning: Devotee of Saint Columba
Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Boy's name · #272 in the US (2025) · Trending

Popularity over time

Malcolm is moving up the charts. First recorded in 1880, it stood at #272 in 2025; about 70,000 boys have been named Malcolm along the way. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Malcolm is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 48 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Malcolm ranks in other countries and regions.

#311 in Scotland (2025) · #405 in Sweden (2025) · #551 in Ireland (2025) · #1,342 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,623 in France (2025) · #2,376 in Switzerland (2025) · #169 in Canada (2024).

Famous Malcolms

Malcolm X — American Black rights activist (1925–1965)
Malcolm McDowell — British actor (born 1943)
Malcolm Turnbull — Prime Minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018
Malcolm Fraser — Australian politician, 22nd Prime Minister of Australia (1930–2015)
Malcolm III of Scotland — King of Scotland from 1058 to 1093

In stories & tradition

Malcolm Reed^it — A Choice of Futures (book)
Malcolm Reynolds — Firefly (TV series)
Malcolm McDuck — Back To Long Ago! (comics)

What Malcolms become

Among 1,519 notable people named Malcolm:

Sports figures appear 1.39× more often than among typical names — e.g. Malcolm Glazer, American businessman, sports franchise owner (1928–2014).

Similar names: Malcom · Warren · Malakai · Dallas · Marvin · Mack

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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