Malcolm: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced MAL-kuhm · 2 syllables
Malcolm means “tonsured; dove”, from Scottish.
Royal name in Scotland, anglicised from various historical Goidelic names equivalent to Scottish Gaelic Maol Chaluim or Calum, Irish Maol Colm, Middle Irish Mael Coluim, Old Irish Mael Columb (literally “devotee of [Saint] Columba”); proper nouns derived from mael (“tonsured”) from Proto-Celtic *mailos, and columb (“dove”) from Latin columbus.
- Meaning
- tonsured; dove
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- MAL-kuhm
- US rank (2025)
- #272
- US babies a year
- about 1,273 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2020
- Style
- Vintage, Comeback, Rising, Classic
How popular is Malcolm?
Malcolm was the #272 name in the US in 2025, given to 1,257 babies. It’s rising: up 88% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #272 |
| England & Wales | #962 |
| Scotland | #324 |
| Ireland | #491 |
| Canada | #180 |
How old are people named Malcolm?
Half of US adults named Malcolm are older than 40; most are between 21 and 82. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Malcolm
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Malcolm have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Malcolm
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Malcolm
What does the name Malcolm mean?
Malcolm means “tonsured; dove”. It comes from Scottish.
How do you pronounce Malcolm?
Malcolm is pronounced MAL-kuhm.
How popular is the name Malcolm?
Malcolm was the #272 name in the US in 2025, given to 1,257 babies. It’s rising: up 88% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
How old are people named Malcolm?
Half of US adults named Malcolm are older than 40. Most are between 21 and 82.