Declining since 2014.
Popularity of Malvin since 1886
Babies named Malvin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Malvin's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 38 |
| 1910s | 333 |
| 1920s | 547 |
| 1930s | 393 |
| 1940s | 332 |
| 1950s | 285 |
| 1960s | 180 |
| 1970s | 155 |
| 1980s | 97 |
| 1990s | 88 |
| 2000s | 95 |
| 2010s | 98 |
| 2020s | 26 |
Meaning & origin
Malvin is a classic boy's name that saw its peak popularity in 1913, though it has been in use since at least 1886. Since 2014, its usage has been falling, and in 2025 it remains unranked with too few births to appear in national data. The name is most commonly associated with English and Scottish origins, and it shares stylistic company with other early-20th-century names like Elmer and Mabel. While never among the most frequent choices, Malvin offers a vintage appeal for parents seeking a less common alternative to Melvin or Marvin.
Malvin is a variant of Melvin, which derives from Irish Gaelic Maolbhín, itself from 'mael' meaning 'chief' or 'servant' and 'bhín' meaning 'fair' or possibly from Old English elements. The name has been anglicized since the 19th century, with usage peaking in the early 20th century in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mal, Vinny
Variants: Melvin, Malvyn
Sibling names for Malvin
Names that share Malvin's style, for a brother or sister.
