Malcolm Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Malcolm is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Malcolm?
Malcolm is spelled M-A-L-C-O-L-M. The name has 7 letters.
Malcolm at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Malcolm means “follower of Saint Columba.”
- Origin
- Malcolm is of Scottish origin and is commonly associated with Scottish kings and historical figures.
- Pronunciation
- MAL-kum · 2 syllables
Malcolm Popularity in 2025
Rank#272
Recorded Births1,257
- Boys usage rose 42 places to #272 and recorded 164 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Malcolm Mean?
Malcolm means “follower of Saint Columba.”
Origin: Malcolm is of Scottish origin and is commonly associated with Scottish kings and historical figures.
How Do You Pronounce Malcolm?
PronunciationMAL-kum
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Malcolm?
- History
- The name Malcolm has historical usage in Scotland where several kings bore the name, linking it to Scottish heritage.
Malcolm Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 1,257 | #272 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,093 | #314 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,131 | #293 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,220 | #283 |
| 2021 | Boys | 1,230 | #281 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,170 | #290 |
| 2019 | Boys | 1,022 | #327 |
| 2018 | Boys | 806 | #393 |
| 2017 | Boys | 814 | #392 |
| 2016 | Boys | 784 | #408 |
| 2015 | Boys | 741 | #421 |
| 2014 | Boys | 682 | #442 |
| 2013 | Boys | 650 | #442 |
| 2012 | Boys | 585 | #467 |
| 2011 | Boys | 525 | #497 |
| 2010 | Boys | 496 | #521 |
| 2009 | Boys | 432 | #599 |
| 2008 | Boys | 482 | #545 |
| 2007 | Boys | 453 | #568 |
| 2006 | Boys | 468 | #541 |
| 2005 | Boys | 448 | #540 |
| 2004 | Boys | 444 | #533 |
| 2003 | Boys | 507 | #487 |
| 2002 | Boys | 582 | #426 |
When Was Malcolm Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1992 · Boys
1,495 recorded births
National rank #206
1991 · Boys
1,299 recorded births
National rank #230
2025 · Boys
1,257 recorded births
National rank #272
2021 · Boys
1,230 recorded births
National rank #281
Where Malcolm Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| ME | #74 | 16 |
| NH | #121 | 12 |
| RI | #140 | 8 |
| OR | #143 | 28 |
| AK | #165 | 5 |
| DC | #168 | 5 |
| WA | #172 | 50 |
| IA | #180 | 23 |