We all know Jamie Fraser’s full name in Outlander. The initials JAMMF are seen everywhere, and he often uses two of his middle names, Alexander Malcolm, as an alias when he needs to hide his true identity.
Well, there are some wild theories out there since Outlander: Blood of My Blood began, and one of them is that Ellen and Brian choose to name Jamie partially after Malcolm Grant. This theory has grown in support since the season 1 finale saw Brian kill Malcolm so that he and Ellen could get away.
Jamie is named after three Scottish kings in Outlander
When Outlander was first created, Diana Gabaldon chose the name Jamie because of the Doctor Who companion, Jamie. It just turned out that the name was also that of a Scottish king (or seven), but that wasn’t the only name of a Scottish king. Both Alexander and Malcolm are also names of former Scottish kings, and it’s fitting for the character who is known as the King of Men.
I also find it amusing that Brian and Ellen went with the names of Scottish kings considering Simon Fraser’s deep belief in the prophecy of the King of Scotland to unite the clans would come from his bloodline. Was it Brian tempting fate or just poking fun at his grandfather’s view?
Regardless, the names weren’t from Malcolm Grant, but I can see why people have suggested it. While Outlander: Blood of My Blood could change the canon, I’d be surprised if it did.
Surely the first child would be named after the Outlander: Blood of My Blood character
When it comes to honoring people, it’s more often the first child who is used for that. Especially with how the death of Malcolm would still be on the minds of Ellen and Brian. After all, they didn’t want to kill him, and the grief and shock of that would still be on their mind. While Brian and Ellen stand by what they did, it doesn’t mean they killed Malcolm out of malice or coldness.
By the time it gets to Jamie, honoring Malcolm by using his name as one of them for Jamie doesn’t make sense. We know Jamie was born in 1721, which is six years from the wedding that never was. In that time, the Grants have hated the MacKenzies, and they’d likely hate the Frasers as well considering the blame on Brian for taking Ellen away.
With that animosity, Ellen and Brian probably wouldn’t want to honor the man. There wouldn’t be the same meaning behind it six years later.
I’m also overlooking the fact that in the Outlander books, Malcolm isn’t dead. He wasn’t killed as Ellen and Brian escaped, and therefore, there was no need to honor the man. But that’s just a side note, as most of the wild Outlander theories have started because of the prequel series.
Look, Outlander: Blood of My Blood can ret-con what it wants, and we can go with the flow or hate on it as much as we want. It won’t change what the show wants to do. I just can’t see naming Jamie after Malcolm playing out, because it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
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Outlander: Blood of My Blood is available to stream on STARZ.