Malcolm
Malcolm is a Christian boy name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning “Devotee of St Columba”.
| Meaning | Devotee of St Columba |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Scottish Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | MAL-kum |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia |
Meaning and origin of Malcolm
Malcolm comes from Gaelic Máel Coluim, 'devotee of Columba', the sixth-century Irish monk who founded the monastery on Iona and spread Christianity in Scotland. Several Scottish kings bore it, most famously Malcolm III, who defeated Macbeth and married St Margaret of Scotland. In modern times it is known worldwide through Malcolm X, the American civil rights leader.
Is Malcolm a Christian name?
Malcolm is Christian in origin, since it describes a follower of St Columba, but today it is used by families of any faith.
How popular is Malcolm?
A steady name in Scotland and the English-speaking world, more common in older generations.
Gifts with the name Malcolm
- Malcolm name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Malcolm baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Malcolm
Names similar to Malcolm
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malcolm mean?
Malcolm means 'Devotee of St Columba'. It is of Scottish Gaelic origin.
Is Malcolm a Christian name?
Malcolm is Christian in origin, since it describes a follower of St Columba, but today it is used by families of any faith.
How do you pronounce Malcolm?
Malcolm is pronounced MAL-kum.
Is Malcolm a boy or girl name?
Malcolm is usually a boy name.