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 statistics show a significant increase in the number of babies named Malcolm over time. The first decade (1880-1890) had an average of around 25 births per year, with numbers fluctuating between 14 and 31. However, from 1912 onwards, there was a marked rise, with the number of births surpassing 1000 in 2020 and 2021. The most recent data point shows 1128 births in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 67,845 babies named Malcolm since 1880.