What does "Malachi" mean?

The word Malachi literally means my messenger. It could be a common noun, signifying the office of a spokesman sent by God. The word is used in this way in Malachi 3:1, and in a similar way in Malachi 2:7 (where it refers to the priest). However, tradition has long held that Malachi is a proper noun, referring to the name of the prophet. In the end, it matters little, for if Malachi is the name of the prophet, his name correctly indicates his office, namely, as messenger of the Lord.