How Many People Are Named Malcolm?
Complete statistics for the name Malcolm: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Malcolm is a Scottish name meaning 'devotee of Saint Columba', carried today by roughly 46,940 Americans, which works out to about 1 in 7,030 people. It's a rare name with a distinctly old-school feel, and what's striking is just how heavily it skews toward older generations.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 6 is traditionally associated with responsibility, nurturing, and a deep sense of care for others. People connected to the number 6 are often seen as reliable, compassionate, and naturally drawn to supporting family and community.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 54All 69,042 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1992Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Malcolm Through the Generations
Malcolm has never been a blockbuster baby name, but it has a loyal following across decades. Of the 69,042 births recorded all time in the US, around 46,940 people are estimated to be alive today, which is a solid retention rate suggesting the name stayed in steady use rather than spiking and crashing. Its peak came in 1992 with 1,495 births, a modest high point by any standard. The age story here is genuinely interesting: a full 44% of living Malcolms are over 60, pushing the average age to 54. That means the name is heavily concentrated in older generations, likely boosted in part by the cultural prominence of Malcolm X in the 1960s influencing parents of that era. The under-30 count of 20,262 is actually encouraging though, and the overall trend is rising, so younger parents are clearly rediscovering it. Malcolm sits in a nice spot, feeling classic without being stuffy.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Malcolm
Malcolm, Malcom, Máel Coluim, or Maol Choluim is a Scottish Gaelic given name meaning "devotee of Saint Columba". Maol "shavenhead" is Scottish Gaelic for monk.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Malcolm's Scottish Gaelic roots
📄 About the Name Malcolm
How Many People Have the Name Malcolm?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 10,408 people in the United States currently share the name Malcolm. That works out to roughly 1 in every 31,846 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Malcolm a Common or Rare Name?
Malcolm is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Malcolm Mean?
Malcolm means "Devotee of Saint Columba" and comes from Scottish Gaelic origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Malcolm in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Malcolm Most Popular?
The name Malcolm reached peak popularity in 1992, with 1,495 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Malcolm?
Approximately 10,408 people named Malcolm live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 10,408. That works out to roughly 1 in 31,846 Americans.
Is Malcolm a rare name?
Malcolm is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 31,846 Americans has this name.
What does the name Malcolm mean?
Malcolm means "Devotee of Saint Columba" and comes from Scottish Gaelic origins.
Is Malcolm more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Malcolm are male and 0% are female.
When was Malcolm most popular?
Malcolm peaked in 1992 with 1,495 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.