Malcolm

Malcolm is a masculine given name of Scottish origin. It derives from the Gaelic Maol Coluim, traditionally interpreted as “devotee of Saint Columba” or “servant of Columba.” The form Malcolm has been common in Scotland since the Middle Ages and is used widely in the English-speaking world. Variants and diminutives include Malcom, Malc, and occasionally Mal.

Historically, the name was borne by several Scottish kings, notably Malcolm II (reigned around 1005–1034) and Malcolm III Canmore (reigned 1058–1093). The name spread beyond Scotland and remains in use today across many countries, sometimes signaling Scottish heritage.

Notable people with the given name include Malcolm X (1925–1965), African American civil rights leader; Malcolm Gladwell (born 1963), journalist and author; Malcolm Turnbull (born 1954), Australian prime minister; Malcolm McDowell (born 1943), English actor; Malcolm Young (1953–2017), Scottish-born guitarist of AC/DC; and Malcolm-Jamal Warner (born 1970), American actor and musician.

In fiction, Malcolm appears in various works, including Malcolm Reynolds, the captain in Firefly and Serenity; Malcolm Wilkerson, the title character in the television series Malcolm in the Middle; and Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist in the film The Sixth Sense. The name is also used in contemporary literature and media for characters across genres, reflecting its longstanding presence in Anglophone cultures.