# Malcolm

/ˈmæɫkəm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/malcolm
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: A masculine given name, widely used in English-speaking countries and historically common among Scottish royalty.

- Malcolm X was a famous leader who fought for civil rights in America.
- The historian noted that King Malcolm III played a crucial role in the development of the medieval Scottish state.

### 2. surname

noun · CEFR A2

a family name or last name.

For teachers: A surname of Scottish origin, often functioning as a patronymic derived from the given name.

- The author of the book is a woman named Janet Malcolm.
- Several families with the surname Malcolm settled in the region during the nineteenth-century migration period.

## Examples

- Malcolm is my brother's name.
- The manager, Malcolm, will be leading the meeting this afternoon to discuss the new project.
- While the name Malcolm has deep roots in Scottish royal history, it remains a popular choice for parents seeking a classic yet distinctive name for their children today.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.