Malachy
Say it: MAL-a-kee/ˈmæləki/
BoyIrishMeans usually explained as "devotee of St Máedóc"7 letters3 syllables
#372
in Ireland (2025)
#360 with spellings combined
10
babies in 2025
#123
best rank (1968)
598
babies since 1964
Up 62
10-year rank change
Malachy through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #360 |
| 2024 | 17 | #251 |
| 2023 | 8 | #426 |
| 2022 | 16 | #277 |
| 2021 | 7 | #439 |
| 2020 | 16 | #271 |
| 2019 | 11 | #341 |
| 2018 | 18 | #259 |
| 2017 | 8 | #418 |
| 2016 | 12 | #345 |
| 2015 | 8 | #422 |
| 2014 | 18 | #267 |
| 2013 | 10 | #383 |
| 2012 | 9 | #401 |
| 2011 | 6 | #490 |
| 2010 | 14 | #301 |
| 2009 | 10 | #366 |
| 2008 | 11 | #346 |
| 2007 | 9 | #342 |
| 2006 | 9 | #315 |
| 2005 | 8 | #302 |
| 2004 | 11 | #244 |
| 2003 | 12 | #228 |
| 2002 | 6 | #313 |
| 2001 | 3 | #409 |
| 2000 | 7 | #250 |
| 1999 | 3 | #379 |
| 1998 | 3 | #369 |
| 1997 | 5 | #303 |
| 1996 | 4 | #336 |
| 1995 | 9 | #222 |
| 1993 | 8 | #223 |
| 1992 | 5 | #267 |
| 1990 | 4 | #286 |
| 1988 | 4 | #271 |
| 1987 | 4 | #272 |
| 1986 | 3 | #317 |
| 1985 | 4 | #269 |
| 1984 | 3 | #318 |
| 1983 | 10 | #202 |
| 1982 | 12 | #188 |
| 1981 | 9 | #217 |
| 1980 | 10 | #213 |
| 1979 | 10 | #211 |
| 1978 | 13 | #184 |
| 1977 | 11 | #200 |
| 1976 | 8 | #222 |
| 1975 | 12 | #198 |
| 1974 | 11 | #203 |
| 1973 | 14 | #182 |
| 1972 | 10 | #203 |
| 1971 | 12 | #184 |
| 1970 | 22 | #140 |
| 1969 | 12 | #174 |
| 1968 | 22 | #123 |
| 1967 | 17 | #132 |
| 1966 | 18 | #127 |
| 1965 | 16 | #129 |
| 1964 | 16 | #129 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Malachy mean?
Usually explained as "devotee of St Máedóc"
Irish, an English form of Máel Máedóc and Máel Sechnaill, shaped by the unrelated Hebrew name Malachi.
Say it right
MALakee
The story of Malachy
Malachy is an Irish name that looks biblical but isn’t. It was used as an English form of two old Irish names, Máel Máedóc and Máel Sechnaill. Máel first meant a shaven follower or devotee, so these names described a follower of St Máedóc or of Sechnall. Over time they were matched with the Hebrew prophet’s name Malachi, which has a different origin, and the two spellings have been tangled ever since.
Two famous bearers made it a strong Irish name. Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill was a high king of Ireland around the year 1000. St Malachy, whose Irish name was Máel Máedóc Ua Morgair, was Archbishop of Armagh and died in France in 1148.
The name has been given in Ireland throughout the CSO records. Its busiest year was 1968, with 22 boys. It is well used in Northern Ireland too, where 10 boys were named Malachy in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Malachy (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Malachy (given name)
- Wikipedia: Saint Malachy
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
Mal
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Malachy | 10 | 598 |
In Northern Ireland
#199 in 2025 with 10 babies. Best rank #153 (2023); 216 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.