Middle Names, Surnames, and Nicknames
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Scottish
"son of Arthur"
The Mc and Mac surnames are asserting themselves as first names and this is among the most usable. MacArthur or McArthur makes a perfect honorific for an ancestral Arthur and leads directly to the…
Macauley is a masculine name of Scottish and Irish Gaelic origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Amhalghaidh, meaning "son of Amhalghaidh" (an ancient personal name). Historically used as a…
Maclain is a masculine name of Scottish Gaelic origin, functioning as an Anglicized spelling variant of 'MacIain' or 'MacIan,' which literally means 'son of John.' As a surname-turned-first-name, it…
Mcguire is a masculine name that originated as an Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic 'Mag Uidhir,' meaning 'son of Odhar' or 'son of the pale-colored one.' As a first name, it represents the…
Gaelic
"son of Labhrainn"
A rare Mc surname used for both girls and boys in the US. It ultimately derives from Laurentius, as does Lawrence.
Scottish surname
"son of Artan"
McCartney is a widely familiar surname that is infrequently given as a first name. It first appeared on the charts for girls in 1996 but has never been given to more than 21 baby girls in a single…
This highly recognizable surname means "son of Artan," an Irish derivative of the name Art. It's most closely tied to Beatle Paul McCartney — we'd be willing to bet that some of the parents who give…
Mackenzi is a feminine name representing a modern spelling variation of Mackenzie, which originated as a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Coinnich,' meaning 'son of Coinneach' (Kenneth).…
Mackendra is a modern feminine name that creatively combines elements of Mackenzie and popular feminine names ending in '-dra' (like Alexandra or Cassandra). The 'Mack-' prefix likely derives from…
Maccauley is a masculine name with Scottish and Irish origins, representing a variant spelling of Macaulay or McCauley. These names derive from the Gaelic 'Mac Amhalghaidh,' meaning 'son of…
Mackena is a feminine name representing a modern spelling variation of Mackenna or McKenna, which originated as an Irish surname derived from 'Mac Cionaoith,' meaning 'son of Cionaodh' (a name…
"son of Aodh"
MacKay is the Anglicized form of Mac Aodha, meaning "son of Aodh" in Gaelic. Aodh is the origin of names such as Aidan and Hugh, making McKay a subtle way to honor people with those names. It could…
Maccarter is an extremely rare masculine name that appears to have originated as a surname. It likely derives from the Scottish and Irish surname MacArthur (son of Arthur) or possibly as a variant of…
Gaelic, variation of Mackayla
"son of Aodh; who is like God"
"son of Ivor"
The eponymous TV hero has inspired a handful of parents to use his name for their sons. Macgyver first appeared on the charts in 1989, four years after the original television series began. According…
"son of Gregor"
Interesting possibility for the son or grandson of a Gregory.
Macgreggor represents a variant spelling of MacGregor, a masculine name with Scottish origins. This surname-turned-first-name derives from the Scottish clan name MacGregor, meaning 'son of Gregor'…
"son of life"
Although appearing as a patronym (nope, it doesn't mean "son of Elizabeth"), Macbeth originated as a given name. It is derived from the Gaelic MacBeatha, describing a religious man. The Shakespearean…
Macawlay is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Macaulay, a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Amhalghaidh,' meaning 'son of Amhalghaidh.' The original Gaelic name…
