Malachy

This spelling, which came to the attention of readers of the best-selling Angela’s Ashes as the name of author Frank McCourt’s father and brother, the latter of whom wrote a best-seller of his own, lends the biblical name a more expansive, almost boisterous image. Malachy is also the anglicized version of Melaghlin, one of St. Patrick’s first companions. It was borne by the High King Malachy, who defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Tara in 980. St. Malachy was a reformer who reorganized the church in Ireland after the Viking raids. Irish actor Cillian Murphy has a son named Malachy.