A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Mahlon since 1880
Babies named Mahlon per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mahlon's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 95 |
| 1890s | 87 |
| 1900s | 100 |
| 1910s | 545 |
| 1920s | 825 |
| 1930s | 648 |
| 1940s | 568 |
| 1950s | 428 |
| 1960s | 296 |
| 1970s | 280 |
| 1980s | 286 |
| 1990s | 379 |
| 2000s | 423 |
| 2010s | 436 |
| 2020s | 264 |
Meaning & origin
Mahlon is a rare biblical name with a long but quiet history in the United States. First recorded in Social Security data in 1880, the name saw its peak in 1896 when it ranked highest in usage. In 2025, it is extremely uncommon, with only about 1 in 38,820 newborns receiving the name. Despite its rarity, Mahlon has experienced a modest revival, rising in usage since 1985, particularly in its historical stronghold states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. The name is firmly associated with the Hebrew Bible figure, making it a choice for families seeking a distinctive Old Testament name with a gentle sound.
Mahlon appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of one of Naomi's sons, the brother of Chilion. The meaning is debated; it may derive from Hebrew 'mahlah' (sickness) or 'machal' (pardon). The name was adopted by English Puritans in the 17th century and remained in occasional use in the United States into the early 20th century.
Where Mahlon is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mahlon” around the world
Where Mahlon lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mal
Variants: Mahalon, Mahlan
Sibling names for Mahlon
Names that share Mahlon's style, for a brother or sister.
