Malachy
From Irish Maolmhaodhóg and Maolseachnaill/Maolseachlainn, influenced by the etymologically unrelated name Malachi, which is of Hebrew origin.
Every Malachy since 1897 — 690 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Malachy
Malachy is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,665 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1897, 690 American babies have been named Malachy. Its peak came in 2002, when 35 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Malachy stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Malachy year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #8,665 |
| 2024 | 15 | #6,079 |
| 2023 | 18 | #5,392 |
| 2022 | 18 | #5,347 |
| 2021 | 16 | #5,693 |
| 2020 | 20 | #4,803 |
| 2019 | 16 | #5,712 |
| 2018 | 11 | #7,440 |
| 2017 | 18 | #5,225 |
| 2016 | 24 | #4,271 |
| 2015 | 14 | #6,184 |
| 2014 | 19 | #4,994 |
| 2013 | 19 | #4,906 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7,367 |
| 2011 | 15 | #5,853 |
| 2010 | 27 | #3,866 |
| 2009 | 17 | #5,465 |
| 2008 | 25 | #4,101 |
| 2007 | 27 | #3,859 |
| 2006 | 22 | #4,319 |
| 2005 | 19 | #4,577 |
| 2004 | 21 | #4,209 |
| 2003 | 31 | #3,085 |
| 2002 | 35 | #2,732 |
| 2001 | 28 | #3,195 |
| 2000 | 16 | #4,712 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7,495 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | 6 | #3,548 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,338 |
| 1925 | 5 | #4,641 |
| 1920 | 5 | #4,703 |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malachy mean?
From Irish Maolmhaodhóg and Maolseachnaill/Maolseachlainn, influenced by the etymologically unrelated name Malachi, which is of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Malachy in 2025?
Malachy ranked #8,665 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Malachy?
690 babies have been named Malachy in the United States since 1897, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Malachy most popular?
Malachy peaked in 2002, when 35 newborns received the name.
Is Malachy a boy or girl name?
Malachy is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Malachy rising or falling?
Malachy has been roughly stable over the past decade.