Malcolm
Royal name in Scotland, anglicised from various historical Goidelic names equivalent to Scottish Gaelic Maol Chaluim or Calum, Irish Maol Colm, Middle Irish Máel Coluim…
Every Malcolm since 1880 — 70,328 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Malcolm
Malcolm is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #272 in 2025 with 1,257 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 70,328 American babies have been named Malcolm. Its peak came in 1992, when 1,495 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Malcolm stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Malcolm year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 1,257 | #272 |
| 2024 | — | — | 1,093 | #314 |
| 2023 | — | — | 1,131 | #293 |
| 2022 | — | — | 1,220 | #284 |
| 2021 | — | — | 1,230 | #281 |
| 2020 | — | — | 1,170 | #291 |
| 2019 | — | — | 1,022 | #327 |
| 2018 | — | — | 806 | #393 |
| 2017 | — | — | 814 | #393 |
| 2016 | — | — | 784 | #408 |
| 2015 | — | — | 741 | #421 |
| 2014 | — | — | 682 | #442 |
| 2013 | — | — | 650 | #442 |
| 2012 | — | — | 585 | #467 |
| 2011 | — | — | 525 | #497 |
| 2010 | — | — | 496 | #521 |
| 2009 | — | — | 432 | #599 |
| 2008 | — | — | 482 | #545 |
| 2007 | — | — | 453 | #568 |
| 2006 | — | — | 468 | #541 |
| 2005 | — | — | 448 | #540 |
| 2004 | — | — | 444 | #533 |
| 2003 | — | — | 507 | #487 |
| 2002 | — | — | 582 | #427 |
| 2001 | — | — | 614 | #409 |
| 2000 | — | — | 715 | #368 |
| 1995 | — | — | 887 | #301 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14,327 | 1,158 | #241 |
| 1985 | — | — | 386 | #434 |
| 1980 | — | — | 261 | #534 |
| 1975 | — | — | 367 | #401 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,779 | 537 | #349 |
| 1965 | — | — | 614 | #305 |
| 1960 | — | — | 546 | #332 |
| 1955 | — | — | 593 | #296 |
| 1950 | — | — | 540 | #290 |
| 1945 | — | — | 511 | #255 |
| 1940 | — | — | 548 | #226 |
| 1935 | — | — | 545 | #221 |
| 1930 | — | — | 558 | #229 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3,550 | 618 | #218 |
| 1920 | — | — | 556 | #227 |
| 1915 | — | — | 464 | #221 |
| 1910 | — | — | 86 | #265 |
| 1905 | — | — | 65 | #244 |
| 1900 | — | — | 55 | #279 |
| 1895 | — | — | 33 | #322 |
| 1890 | — | — | 27 | #341 |
| 1885 | — | — | 14 | #516 |
| 1880 | — | — | 18 | #417 |
Famous people named Malcolm
- Malcolm X Social activist · 1925–1965
- Malcolm McDowell Actor · b. 1943
- Malcolm Young Musician · 1953–2017
- Malcolm III of Scotland Politician · 1031–1093
- Malcolm IV of Scotland Politician · 1141–1165
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malcolm mean?
Royal name in Scotland, anglicised from various historical Goidelic names equivalent to Scottish Gaelic Maol Chaluim or Calum, Irish Maol Colm, Middle Irish Máel Coluim, Old Irish Máel Columb (literally “devotee of [Saint]…
How popular is the name Malcolm in 2025?
Malcolm ranked #272 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,257 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Malcolm?
70,328 babies have been named Malcolm in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Malcolm most popular?
Malcolm peaked in 1992, when 1,495 newborns received the name.
Is Malcolm a boy or girl name?
Malcolm is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Malcolm rising or falling?
Malcolm is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Malcolm?
Well-known people named Malcolm include Malcolm X (social activist), Malcolm McDowell (actor), Malcolm Young (musician).