Malachy: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	5	1	–	#1,169
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	10	1	–	#3,569
1920s	20	2	+100%	#4,582
1930s	16	2	-20%	#3,396
1940s	8	1	-50%	#3,016
1950s	13	1	+63%	#3,441
1960s	11	1	-15%	#3,900
1970s	17	2	+55%	#3,554
1980s	21	2	+24%	#6,423
1990s	58	6	+176%	#4,474
2000s	241	24	+316%	#2,732
2010s	174	17	-28%	#3,866
2020s (to 2025)	96	16	-8%	#4,803

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

#1,169

1900s

–

1910s

–

#3,569

1920s

+100%

#4,582

1930s

-20%

#3,396

1940s

-50%

#3,016

1950s

+63%

#3,441

1960s

-15%

#3,900

1970s

+55%

#3,554

1980s

+24%

#6,423

1990s

+176%

#4,474

2000s

241

+316%

#2,732

2010s

174

-28%

#3,866

2020s (to 2025)

-8%

#4,803

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.

How old are people named Malachy?

The median living Malachy is about 18 years old; half are between 9 and 24. An estimated 600 people named Malachy are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

Quick answers about Malachy, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Malachy?

The median living Malachy is about 18 years old. Half of all living Malachys are between 9 and 24 years old.

How many people named Malachy are alive today?

An estimated 600 people named Malachy are alive in the United States, based on 690 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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.

Malachy

Malachy popularity over time

The story of Malachy

How old are people named Malachy?

Malachy year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Malachy