Gender Masculine
Pronounced Pron. MAL-kəm(English)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Máel Coluim, which means "disciple of Saint Columba". This was the name of four kings of Scotland starting in the 10th century, including Malcolm III, who became king after killing Macbeth, the usurper who had defeated his father Duncan. The character Malcolm in Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth (1606) is loosely based on him. Another famous bearer was Malcolm X (1925-1965), an American civil rights leader.

Related Names

VariantsMaol Chaluim(Scottish Gaelic) Malcom(English)
Feminine FormMalina(Scottish)
Other Languages & CulturesMáel Coluim(Medieval Scottish)

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Entry updated June 9, 2023