Malcom

Malcom is a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname. It is a variant spelling of Malcolm, a name with Gaelic roots that is most closely associated with Scottish history. The form Malcom appears as an alternative spelling in various regions and families, though Malcolm remains the more common standard.

Etymology and origin: The name derives from the Gaelic Maol Coluim, with maol meaning “devotee” or “servant” and Coluim being the Gaelic form of Columba (Saint Columba). The combination is commonly understood to mean “devotee of Columba” or “servant of Columba.” Through history, the Malcolm spelling spread into English usage and acquired several variant forms, including Malcom.

Usage and distribution: Malcom is much less common than Malcolm, but both spellings appear in modern records and personal names. Malcom can reflect family tradition, regional variation, or transliteration choices. The name is typically given to boys in contemporary contexts. In literature and media, Malcom may be used for characters to evoke Gaelic or historical associations.

Pronunciation: In most English contexts, Malcolm (and its variants such as Malcom) are pronounced with the first syllable stressed: /ˈmæl.kəm/. Spelling variations can influence pronunciation in some dialects, but the standard form remains familiar to English speakers.

Related and variant forms: The better-known form Malcolm remains the primary reference name, while Malcom is recognized as a legitimate alternate spelling. The name is often encountered alongside other Gaelic-derived names and historical references.