"unfortunate, ill-omened"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Mallory
Pronunciation: [ m-AL-er-ee ]
Girl Name
#412 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
A vintage preppy name with surprising Norman roots
English
American
French
Vintage
Literary
Classic
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"unhappy, unlucky one"
Origin: Norman French
Language: French
Things to Know About This Name
- Literal meaning is 'unfortunate' or 'ill-fated' in Old French — some parents may find this off-putting once they learn it
The Story of Mallory
Mallory comes from the Old French nickname 'maleüré,' meaning 'unfortunate' or 'ill-omened,' derived from 'mal' (bad) + 'eüré' (fate). Despite this inauspicious literal meaning, the name was brought to England by the Normans after 1066 and evolved into a distinguished surname — most famously carried by Sir Thomas Malory, author of Le Morte d'Arthur. Its transformation into a given name in the 20th century stripped away its dark etymology for most bearers.
Mallory peaked in the 1980s and 1990s, propelled in large part by the character Mallory Keaton on the hit TV show Family Ties (1982-1989), played by Justine Bateman. The name had a preppy, distinctly American feel that resonated with that era.
Sir Thomas Malory's authorship of Le Morte d'Arthur (1485) — the definitive retelling of the King Arthur legend — gave the surname a literary prestige that outlasted its Norman-French origins. George Mallory, the famed mountaineer who died attempting Everest in 1924, added an adventurous dimension to the name.
Fun Facts
- Sir Thomas Malory wrote Le Morte d'Arthur while imprisoned in the 1460s
- George Mallory, the Everest climber, when asked why he wanted to climb Everest, reportedly said 'Because it is there'
- Mallory Keaton from Family Ties helped propel the name into Top 200 territory in the 1980s
Mallory in Other Languages
French
Mallory
German
Mallory
Italian
Mallory
Spanish
Mallory
Famous People Named Mallory
G
George Mallory
Explorer
1886
British mountaineer who famously died attempting the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1924
T
Thomas Malory
Writer
1415
English author of Le Morte d'Arthur, the seminal Arthurian legend collection
M
Mallory Keaton Fictional
Other
Beloved character from the 1980s sitcom Family Ties, played by Justine Bateman
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #412
- Total SSA Count
- 765
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mal
Mally
Pairs Well With
Mallory Jane
Mallory Kate
Mallory Anne
Mallory Grace
Mallory Claire
Mallory Faye
Mallory Louise
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Mallory is also used as a boy name, ranked #18671.
View Mallory as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mallory
What does the name Mallory mean?
"unfortunate, ill-omened" (from Old French). "unhappy, unlucky one" (from Norman French). Mallory comes from the Old French nickname 'maleüré,' meaning 'unfortunate' or 'ill-omened,' derived from 'mal' (bad) + 'eüré' (fate). Despite this inauspicious literal meaning, the name was brought to England by the Normans after 1066 and evolved into a distinguished surname — most famously carried by Sir Thomas Malory, author of Le Morte d'Arthur. Its transformation into a given name in the 20th century stripped away its dark etymology for most bearers.
What is the origin of the name Mallory?
Mallory has Old French, Norman French, English, American, and French origins. In Old French, it means "unfortunate, ill-omened". In Norman French, it means "unhappy, unlucky one".
Is Mallory a boy or girl name?
Mallory is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #412. As a boy name, it is ranked #18671. Mallory is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mallory?
Mallory is pronounced m-AL-er-ee.
How popular is the name Mallory?
Mallory is currently ranked #412 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mallory?
Common nicknames for Mallory include Mal and Mally.
What are good middle names for Mallory?
Popular middle name pairings include Mallory Jane, Mallory Kate, Mallory Anne, Mallory Grace, Mallory Claire, Mallory Faye, and Mallory Louise.
What are good sibling names for Mallory?
Names that pair well with Mallory as siblings include Courtney, Whitney, Kelsey, Trevor, Spencer, and Blake.
How many syllables does Mallory have?
Mallory has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Mallory a common or rare name?
Mallory is a popular name, ranked #412 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Mallory
Mallory is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "unfortunate, ill-omened" in Old French .
Is Mallory a boy or girl name? Mallory is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #412 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #18,671. Mallory is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mallory is currently ranked #412 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mallory has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-AL-er-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Mallory include Mal and Mally. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mallory include Mallie, Mallorie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.