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Baby names

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Original poster

Malachi Francis?

66 replies

bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 17:04

We’re expecting DS2 next month and finally seem to have decided on the name Malachi Francis. DS1 is called Asa Charles and I like that both names have a biblical first name and a more classic middle name. I just want to find out peoples opinions and make sure there aren’t any bad connotations before we go through with the name. Thank you :)

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Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 22:13

belleager · 14/09/2023 21:56

I love it.

The Irish use is because of Saint Malachy - that wasn't really his name at all but the Latinised version, Malachias, was shared with the biblical Malachi. For a Celtic saint, he has no particularly alarming associations - seems to have been a bit of a bureaucrat.

Saint Malachy was something like Maelmhaedhoc, which might not be a wise choice. There would have been a Saint Malachy's Cathedral in Ulster, but they gave the funds raised to famine relief.

I like the soft quick sounds of it as a name. Goes well with Asa that way, and with the vowel ending.

Malachi has no particular class associations for me, and not a strong Irish connection either - known to be a biblical name. Definitely would use.

I haven't heard people use the word Malarkey in real life ... ever, in Ireland or UK. Maybe an American of Biden's generation? Strikes me as a bit obsolete Hollywood Irish. Doubt anyone will make the association.

So many names begin with M that MF initials aren't rare either. Now I think of it I know a few. Never caused any problems.

Thank you for such a detailed response. It’s so interesting to hear about Saint Malachy.

OP posts:
belleager · 14/09/2023 21:56

I love it.

The Irish use is because of Saint Malachy - that wasn't really his name at all but the Latinised version, Malachias, was shared with the biblical Malachi. For a Celtic saint, he has no particularly alarming associations - seems to have been a bit of a bureaucrat.

Saint Malachy was something like Maelmhaedhoc, which might not be a wise choice. There would have been a Saint Malachy's Cathedral in Ulster, but they gave the funds raised to famine relief.

I like the soft quick sounds of it as a name. Goes well with Asa that way, and with the vowel ending.

Malachi has no particular class associations for me, and not a strong Irish connection either - known to be a biblical name. Definitely would use.

I haven't heard people use the word Malarkey in real life ... ever, in Ireland or UK. Maybe an American of Biden's generation? Strikes me as a bit obsolete Hollywood Irish. Doubt anyone will make the association.

So many names begin with M that MF initials aren't rare either. Now I think of it I know a few. Never caused any problems.

Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:49

I think we will probably go for it, because even the more negative comments haven’t put me off it which I think if it wasn’t a name I loved it would do. Thank you for the responses though everyone! It has been really helpful.

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ladygindiva · 14/09/2023 21:47

I love it.

cocksstrideintheevening · 14/09/2023 21:42

Prefer it the other way around, Francis will be Frank and malachi Mail

Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:39

Viviennemary · 14/09/2023 21:38

Its totally dire. I would find it a very odd name to give a child.

Why?

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Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:39

PickledScrump · 14/09/2023 21:30

Only obvious thing to me is initials MF which is a common shortening for Mother F**ker

That’s true, but I suppose more than likely his initials would be his first and last name or all 3 names.

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Viviennemary · 14/09/2023 21:38

Its totally dire. I would find it a very odd name to give a child.

Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:38

semideponent · 14/09/2023 21:34

Don't worry, OP. I hope my response was helpful for your thinking process if nothing else. It sounds like you are very drawn to the name Malachi.

Good luck to you and your beautiful boy.

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Thank you so much!

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semideponent · 14/09/2023 21:34

bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:29

Also when I said there are Malachy’s in my family I mean going way back. Nobody alive in my family has known a Malachy.

I don’t want it to feel like I’m going at you replying so many times just wanted to clear up that it isn’t because I’m going with a family name :)

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Don't worry, OP. I hope my response was helpful for your thinking process if nothing else. It sounds like you are very drawn to the name Malachi.

Good luck to you and your beautiful boy.

PickledScrump · 14/09/2023 21:30

Only obvious thing to me is initials MF which is a common shortening for Mother F**ker

Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:29

semideponent · 14/09/2023 21:06

Malachi can be shortened to Mal, which is the prefix for all things bad...maleficent, malcontent, malicious, malformed, malfunction, malnutrition, malignant.

I would choose something different.

It feels rather as though you're going with the family name.

Also when I said there are Malachy’s in my family I mean going way back. Nobody alive in my family has known a Malachy.

I don’t want it to feel like I’m going at you replying so many times just wanted to clear up that it isn’t because I’m going with a family name :)

OP posts:
SweetAndSourChick3n · 14/09/2023 21:24

I love Malachi, one of my favourite boys names

Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:18

SiobhanSharpe · 14/09/2023 21:13

How will you be pronouncing Malachi? Mala'kee or Mala'kii?
I think the first way could easily morph into Malarkey...

Mala-Kai

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Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:16

*Francis.

OP posts:
Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:16

It really isn’t that we’re going with a family name. Malachi was a name we’ve always liked, I never knew it was a family name until recently and I’ve also loved Francis, being in the family is just another bonus.

In another life and another family I’d want to call my son Malachi Frances.

OP posts:
SiobhanSharpe · 14/09/2023 21:13

How will you be pronouncing Malachi? Mala'kee or Mala'kii?
I think the first way could easily morph into Malarkey...

semideponent · 14/09/2023 21:07

Francis is very different. My immediate connotations are St Francis - connection and life. So Malachi Francis feels like a really split name to me. In another life and a different family, what would you name your son?

semideponent · 14/09/2023 21:06

Malachi can be shortened to Mal, which is the prefix for all things bad...maleficent, malcontent, malicious, malformed, malfunction, malnutrition, malignant.

I would choose something different.

It feels rather as though you're going with the family name.

Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 21:05

TheYear2000 · 14/09/2023 21:01

I like both names but I prefer the flow of Francis malachi to Malachi Francis. So I'd suggest switching the order!

I get what you mean! But we prefer Malachi to Francis and I think when our last name is involved Malachi Francis (last name) sounds better than Francis Malachi (last name)

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TheYear2000 · 14/09/2023 21:01

I like both names but I prefer the flow of Francis malachi to Malachi Francis. So I'd suggest switching the order!

Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 20:52

SirChenjins · 14/09/2023 20:46

I’m not mad about Malachy, possibly because I associate it with Ireland in the 50s, which was not a super fun time for a lot of people

Ditto. It’s one of those names that I find really unpleasant for that reason. If that’s not even on your radar and you like the name then go for it OP - we’re just a bunch of randoms on the internet.

We don’t live in Ireland and our Irish family are too young to have been there in the 50’s so not on our radar.

I think we’ll probably go for the name, I’m not too bothered about other peoples personal taste more if I missed something like there being a famous murderer called Malachi or something!

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SirChenjins · 14/09/2023 20:46

I’m not mad about Malachy, possibly because I associate it with Ireland in the 50s, which was not a super fun time for a lot of people

Ditto. It’s one of those names that I find really unpleasant for that reason. If that’s not even on your radar and you like the name then go for it OP - we’re just a bunch of randoms on the internet.

PurpleChrayne · 14/09/2023 20:36

It has a weirdly unpleasant sound to it, and puts me in mind of bits of mould in a long discarded glass of milk.

Original poster
bucketlistice · 14/09/2023 20:34

continentallentil · 14/09/2023 20:14

Yes it is.. it’s just less popular right now.

I’m not mad about Malachy, possibly because I associate it with Ireland in the 50s, which was not a super fun time for a lot of people.

How about

Abraham (Bran, Abe)
Josiah
Moses
Matthias
Jerome
Zachary / Zachariah
Barnaby / Barnabas
Tobias

Or just Francis as a first name

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Moses is my favourite ever name but I’m not brave enough for it.

I do like the other names but I prefer Malachi.

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