Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Malcom
BoyScottish, Irish· “variant of Malcolm, devotee of Saint Columba”
- Meaning
- variant of Malcolm, devotee of Saint Columba
- Origin
- Scottish, Irish
- Pronunciation
- MAL-kum
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,775
- US babies 2025
- 91
- Best rank
- #767 (1992)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Malcom
Malcom is a Scottish and Irish name that means “variant of Malcolm, devotee of Saint Columba”.
Malcom is a simplified spelling of Malcolm, a Scottish name from Gaelic Máel Coluim, "devotee of Saint Columba." Columba was the Irish monk who founded the monastery on Iona and helped bring Christianity to Scotland; his own name means "dove." Several kings of Scotland were called Malcolm, including Malcolm III, who defeated Macbeth, and the name has a solid royal and Scottish character. The spelling Malcom drops the silent l, matching the way most English speakers say it: MAL-kum. It is found in Brazil and Spanish-speaking countries as well as in the United States. Mal and Mac are traditional nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Malcolm.
Popularity over time
Malcom has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 20 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #767 in 1992, the same year it reached its highest count of 186 babies. In 2025, 91 babies were named Malcom, and it ranked #1,775 nationally. That is 86% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #997 in 1920, #1,098 in 1950, #2,259 in 1980, #1,826 in 2000, #2,713 in 2010, and #1,775 in 2025. Of the 5,864 US boys named Malcom since records began, 19% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 554 babies. Since 2010, 973 more have been named Malcom.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Gregorio, Rakeem, Martez, Savon, and Dalvin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Malcom ranked highest in Iowa, Florida, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #551 | 6 |
| Florida | #2003 | 5 |
| California | #2120 | 7 |
| Texas | #2814 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Malcom is usually pronounced MAL-kum, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-om”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Malcolm.
Middle names for Malcom
A few middle names that flow with Malcom: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Malcom
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Lists that include Malcom
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malcom mean?
Malcom is a Scottish and Irish name that means “variant of Malcolm, devotee of Saint Columba”.
What is the origin of the name Malcom?
Malcom has Scottish and Irish roots. Malcom is a simplified spelling of Malcolm, a Scottish name from Gaelic Máel Coluim, "devotee of Saint Columba." Columba was the Irish monk who founded the monastery on Iona and helped bring Christianity to Scotland; his own name means "dove." Several kings of Scotland were called Malcolm, including Malcolm III, who defeated Macbeth, and the name has a solid royal and Scottish character.
Is Malcom a popular name?
Not especially. Malcom ranked #1,775 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Malcom a boy or girl name?
Malcom is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Malcom?
Malcom is usually pronounced MAL-kum. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings