Malachy
Malachy is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Devotee of Saint Secundinus or disciple of Saint Luke.
Origin and history
Malachy is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Maeleachlainn, meaning 'devotee of Saint Secundinus' or 'king'. It has historically been associated with Saint Malachy, a 12th-century Irish bishop. In the United States, it remains a distinctive and relatively rare masculine choice with strong Irish roots.
Popularity in the United States
690 babies in the United States have been named Malachy since 1880. It ranks #3986 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1831.
States where it is most popular
- NY (81.1 %)
- CA (9.4 %)
- IL (9.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 10 |
| 1920-1930 | 20 |
| 1930-1940 | 16 |
| 1940-1950 | 8 |
| 1950-1960 | 13 |
| 1960-1970 | 11 |
| 1970-1980 | 17 |
| 1980-1990 | 21 |
| 1990-2000 | 58 |
| 2000-2010 | 241 |
| 2010-2019 | 174 |
| 2020-2029 | 96 |
Famous people named Malachy
- Malachy McCourt: Actor, Author
Nicknames
Mal
Fun facts
- The name was borne by High Kings of Ireland, including Malachy IX, as well as Saint Malachy of Armagh.
- While pronounced similarly to the Hebrew biblical name Malachi, Malachy is historically an independent Irish Gaelic name.