Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Mallory
GirlFrench, English· “unfortunate”
- Meaning
- unfortunate
- Origin
- French, English
- Pronunciation
- MAL-uh-ree
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #372
- US babies 2025
- 825
- Best rank
- #83 (1986)
- Peak year
- 1986
Meaning and origin of Mallory
Mallory is a French and English name that means “unfortunate”.
Mallory comes from a Norman French nickname, maloret, meaning unfortunate or unlucky. It became an English surname, best known through Sir Thomas Malory, author of Le Morte d'Arthur, the great fifteenth-century prose collection of Arthurian legend. Mountaineer George Mallory also carried it. As a first name, Mallory rose in the United States in the late twentieth century, helped by the character Mallory Keaton on the television sitcom Family Ties. Although its literal meaning is gloomy, most parents choose it for its soft sound and literary associations. Mal and Mallie are occasional nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Mallery.
Popularity over time
Mallory first appears in US Social Security records in 1938. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 43 different years, starting in 1983. Its best national rank was #83 in 1986, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,325 babies. In 2025, 825 babies were named Mallory, and it ranked #372 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,890 in 1950, #4,439 in 1980, #213 in 2000, #281 in 2010, and #372 in 2025. Of the 59,044 US girls named Mallory since records began, 28% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 15,084 babies. Since 2010, 12,294 more have been named Mallory.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Bethany, Felicia, Krista, Nichole, and Kendra.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mallory ranked highest in Wyoming, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | #73 | 6 |
| Kentucky | #183 | 26 |
| South Carolina | #195 | 25 |
| North Carolina | #219 | 50 |
| South Dakota | #260 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mallory is usually pronounced MAL-uh-ree, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-ry”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mallery.
Middle names for Mallory
A few middle names that flow with Mallory: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mallory
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Lists that include Mallory
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mallory mean?
Mallory is a French and English name that means “unfortunate”.
What is the origin of the name Mallory?
Mallory has French and English roots. Mallory comes from a Norman French nickname, maloret, meaning unfortunate or unlucky.
Is Mallory a popular name?
Yes. Mallory ranked #372 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Mallory a boy or girl name?
Mallory is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mallory?
Mallory is usually pronounced MAL-uh-ree. 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