Malcolm is a name of Scottish origin, derived from two elements: 'maol' meaning 'devotee' and 'colm' referring to St. Columba, a 6th-century Irish missionary. It was brought to England by the Normans and has been used in Scotland for centuries. Today, it's recognized worldwide, with notable bearers including Malcolm X, the American civil rights activist, and Malcom Gladwell, the Canadian journalist and author.
"The name Malcum experienced fluctuating popularity over the years, with peaks in 1917, 1921, and 1936, but saw a significant decline from the late 1930s to the mid-1950s."