Rising since 1985, #134 for boys today.
Popularity of Malachi since 1880
Babies named Malachi per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Malachi's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 58 |
| 1890s | 30 |
| 1900s | 51 |
| 1910s | 156 |
| 1920s | 185 |
| 1930s | 172 |
| 1940s | 183 |
| 1950s | 155 |
| 1960s | 108 |
| 1970s | 390 |
| 1980s | 746 |
| 1990s | 3,525 |
| 2000s | 20,780 |
| 2010s | 24,588 |
| 2020s | 14,631 |
Meaning & origin
Malachi has been a steady presence in American baby naming since records began in 1880, but its trajectory has been notably upward. After a period of relative obscurity, the name began climbing in popularity in 1985, and it has continued rising ever since. In 2025 it reached its peak rank of 134, with about 1 in every 635 male newborns receiving the name. Malachi is most common in Alaska, Mississippi, and Alabama, reflecting a strong preference in certain southern and western states. The name's biblical roots give it a classic yet distinctive feel, and its trendy 'i' ending aligns with modern naming preferences.
Malachi is derived from the Hebrew name Mal'akhi, meaning 'my messenger' or 'my angel.' It is the name of the last book of the Old Testament, attributed to the prophet Malachi, who is traditionally considered the author. The name has been used among English speakers since the Protestant Reformation and gained popularity in the 20th century.
Where Malachi 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.
“Malachi” around the world
Where Malachi lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#99
in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mal, Malik
Sibling names for Malachi
Names that share Malachi's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Eliana, Naomi, Abigail, Leah, Chloe, Beulah, Azariah, Jerusha, Maliyah, Rhema, Khalani, Talitha, Azaryah, Damara, Genessis, Huldah, Jakiah, Jazariah, Makaiya, Malaina, Malaysha, Malissia, Malissie, Maloni, Maranatha, Michaiah, Naylani, Prescilla, Talicia, Zamiah, Zurisadai, Anajah, Annaliyah, Atavia, Bathsheba, Camala, Dasiah, Delania, Ismerai, Jakaya, Jalaiyah, Janaria, Jaretssi, Jonasia, Karliah, Ketsia, Makaiyah, Makalia, Makayah, Malajah, Maleeya, Maleeyah, Maniah, Maryiah, Masiyah, Natoria, Nehemie, Semaja, Zamariah, Keymoni, Mekiah, Alanea, Alayasia, Amariyana, Amisadai, Ananiah, Asenat, Diavion, Hephzibah, Jerriah, Ketzia, Kinshasa, Lazariah, Mahaila, Malaijah, Maleiah, Malillany, Nazariah, Orpah, Shemiah, Zerah, Zhanae
Brothers: Elijah, Josiah, Micah, Ezra, Caleb, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Immanuel, Jamari, Zabdiel, Zechariah, Zion, Demitrius, Ebenezer, Eliazar, Ezekial, Gamaliel, Iziah, Jacari, Jahmari, Jedediah, Jeriah, Jerimiah, Ozias, Savion, Zacharia, Zacharias, Zebulon, Abisai, Amaziah, Azarias, Damauri, Elnathan, Emarion, Ephram, Ephriam, Exodus, Ezariah, Hazael, Jahdiel, Jedadiah, Jeremia, Jomari, Makhai, Phinehas, Uzziah, Uzziel, Zamarion, Zebadiah, Zedekiah, Adonias, Alontae, Asahel, Asriel, Azarius, Cleophas, Dakarri, Damarious, Eliasar, Gershom, Huriel, Isiaih, Ithiel, Izekiel, Jafeth, Jah, Jahmai, Jahzeel, Jedaiah, Jeremyah, Jerimyah, Jhacari, Jhamari, Ladarion, Malekai, Malikhi, Nemiah, Obediah, Samael, Shadrach, Tiras, Zacariah, Jebadiah, Jerimah, Azarel, Elizar, Ezikiel, Gaddiel, Hezakiah, Isaid, Jacarius, Jemuel, Jeramia, Khamarion, Limuel, Nehemyah, Rodricus, Sosaia, Tavari, Zacharius, Zecharia
Names like Malachi
Names whose popularity has moved with Malachi's over the last 50 years.
