Malory

Meaning & origin

Malory is a modern respelling of the surname Mallory, which entered use as a given name for girls in the late 20th century. The name first appeared on the U.S. Social Security lists in 1983, and its popularity peaked in 1987. Since that peak year, its usage has steadily declined, and by 2025 it ranked 7885th, with about 1 in every 123,636 newborn girls receiving the name. The spelling Malory is less common than the traditional Mallory, but it has been consistently used since the 1980s. The name's etymology is uncertain: it likely derives from the Norman French 'malheure' meaning 'unfortunate' or 'ill-omened', though this connection is not firmly established. As a surname-turned-given-name, Malory fits into a broader trend of last names as first names, and it shares stylistic ground with other unisex surname-names like Morgan, Parker, and Quinn. Parents choosing Malory often appreciate its soft sound and literary echo of Sir Thomas Malory, the medieval author of Arthurian legend. While never common, Malory has remained in steady if modest use for over four decades.

Malory is a modern spelling variant of the Norman French surname Mallory, which likely originated from the Old French 'malheure' meaning 'unfortunate' or 'ill-omened'. The surname was absorbed into English naming tradition, and the spelling Malory gained visibility through Sir Thomas Malory, the 15th-century author of 'Le Morte d'Arthur', though his name is typically spelled Mallory. As a given name for girls, Malory emerged in the late 20th century, likely influenced by the broader trend of using surnames as first names.