Malcolm is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Old Gaelic name "Máel Coluim," which means "devotee of Saint Columbus." Saint Columbus was an Irish abbot and missionary who founded the monastery on the island of Iona in the 6th century.
The name Malcolm became popular during the Middle Ages due to several Scottish kings named Malcolm. The most notable among them is Malcolm III, also known as Malcolm Canmore, who ruled Scotland from 1058 to 1093. He was the first king of Scotland to be accepted by both Scots and English nobles after the death of King Macbeth.
Throughout history, several other Scottish kings have borne the name Malcolm, including Malcolm IV (r. 1163–1165) and Malcolm V (r. 1165). The name has since become synonymous with Scottish royal heritage and is often associated with strength, courage, and leadership due to its historical significance.
In literature, Malcolm has been used as a character's name in several works. One notable example is "Malcolm X," the autobiography of the famous human rights activist and civil rights leader, which was published in 1965. This book brought the name Malcolm back into popular culture and made it more widely recognized.
In recent years, Malcolm has gained popularity as a given name for boys, appearing more frequently on baby name lists due to its strong historical background and appealing sound. It remains a powerful choice for parents looking for a name with deep roots and regal connotations.
The name Malcolm has a rich history of usage in the United States, with records dating back to the late 19th century. Between 1880 and 1889, there were an average of 23 births per year with the name Malcolm, with the highest number being 27 births in both 1889 and 1890.
In the early 20th century, the popularity of the name Malcolm began to grow steadily. Between 1900 and 1929, there were an average of 535 births per year with the name Malcolm, with the highest number being 666 births in 1928.
The 1930s saw a slight decrease in the popularity of the name Malcolm, with an average of 475 births per year during this decade. However, the following decades saw a resurgence in its usage. Between 1940 and 1969, there were an average of 542 births per year with the name Malcolm, with the highest number being 673 births in 1943.
The 1970s marked a significant decrease in the popularity of the name Malcolm, with an average of only 317 births per year during this decade. However, the 1980s saw a rebound in its usage, with an average of 632 births per year and a peak of 1158 births in 1990.
In recent years, the name Malcolm has seen a significant increase in popularity. Between 2000 and 2023, there were an average of 866 births per year with the name Malcolm, with the highest number being 1228 births in 2021. Overall, since 1880, there have been a total of 67,845 births with the name Malcolm in the United States.