Thoughts on Malachi/Malachy?

[name_m]Malachi[/name_m] has been on my general radar for years but has recently skyrocketed up my list after finding the name in my family tree (1700’s, [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], [name_m]Malachy[/name_m], and his father, [name_m]Malachi[/name_m]).

[name_m]Malachy[/name_m] appears to be the Irish form and said with a -kee ending, while [name_m]Malachi[/name_m] in English is often said with a -kye finish (though in the original Hebrew, [name_m]Malachi[/name_m] also seems to have the -kee ending).

What are your thoughts on [name_m]Malachi[/name_m]/[name_m]Malachy[/name_m]? Which form do you prefer, and how would you instinctively pronounce each one?

From what I understand they’re completely different names not the Irish and English form of one name. [name_m]Malachi[/name_m] come from Hebrew and means messenger or angel, while [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] is an anglicized form of a couple of different Irish names that start with Máel which means follower or disciple, most famously it was the anglicized name of the High [name_m]King[/name_m] Máel Sechnaill.

I prefer [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] and pronounce it mal-ah-key or like malik-ee depending, but that’s less instinctive and more just learned. But I think they’re both really gorgeous names and that it’s a great way to get the [name_u]Mal[/name_u] nickname.

[name_m]Malachi[/name_m] I’d pronounce with the [name_u]Kye[/name_u] ending and [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] I’d say with the Kee ending. With [name_m]Malachy[/name_m], I’d also emphasise the lach syllable a little, like Mah-lar-kee rather than Mah-luh-kye.

I see them as quite different but i prefer [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], possibly for the nn [name_u]Kai[/name_u]! [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] is cool too though

Thank you very much for your review.

Yes, that is how I understand them, too, having recently looked into the history of each name. In my original post, I had intended ‘form’ simply to reference the different spelling and pronunciation of two similar looking names in different cultures, rather than two culture’s versions of the same name. I’ve found that the general population (non-name-nerds) have limited knowledge of and/or interest in the cultural history or etymology of any given name. Thus, I try to focus more on how a name is seen in the everyday world by the majority (sight and sound; spelling and pronunciation) when thinking about names to add to my short list.

Thank you though for adding the backgrounds of each name to aid the discussion of the names in that way.

I would pronounce [name_m]Malachi[/name_m] as [name_u]MAL[/name_u]-uh-kye* and [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] as [name_u]MAL[/name_u]-uh-kee (I know an Irish [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] and this is how he pronounces it).

I prefer the sound of [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], and the the possibility of [name_u]Kai[/name_u] as a nickname. I also really like the spelling [name_m]Malakai[/name_m], which (as far as I can tell) is Polynesian in origin.

*In English. I believe the Hebrew pronunciation is something like mah-lah-khee with same the kh sound in names like [name_m]Chaim[/name_m].

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there.

I love [name_m]Malachy[/name_m]! It’s my nephew’s name. People absolutely get it wrong all of the time & call him [name_u]Mal[/name_u]-uh-kye. I still think it’s a better choice. It’s more interesting. [name_m]Malachi[/name_m] is kind of too old Testament-y for me (even though I love plenty of biblical names, so go figure), where [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] just sounds fresh & cheerful. It’s more unique as well.

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps. :slight_smile:

I love [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] and grew up hearing the “key” pronunciation used by local religious institution, so that pronunciation is instinctive for me.

Thank you all for your reviews.

For me, with [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] and the -kee finish, I find that I just cannot keep from associating it with the word malarkey and that does put me off a little. I do love that it links directly to those lines of Irish heritage in my ancestry, though…and I do prefer the [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] spelling. I’m warming to [name_m]Malachy[/name_m] fast - just need to shake that association.