McLaughlin is primarily a Scottish and Irish surname now occasionally used as a masculine given name. Derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Lochlainn,' meaning 'son of Lochlann,' it has deep Celtic roots. Lochlann was a Gaelic term for Scandinavia, suggesting Viking ancestry for many who originally bore this name. As a first name, McLaughlin represents the growing trend of using family surnames as given names, often to honor ancestry or family traditions. The name carries a strong, distinguished quality and projects a sense of heritage and tradition. While still uncommon as a first name, McLaughlin appeals to parents seeking a distinctive masculine name with clear cultural connections to Scottish or Irish heritage.

A Scottish surname with cool nickname Mac and a cloudy sound.

Mckinzie is a feminine name with Scottish origins, derived from the surname McKenzie, which means 'son of Kenneth' or 'fair one'. This name gained popularity in the United States as part of the trend toward using surnames as first names, particularly with creative spellings. Mckinzie offers a contemporary twist on the more common McKenzie spelling. The name projects strength and individuality while maintaining a recognizable sound. Though less common than similar names like Mackenzie or Kenzie, Mckinzie has established itself as a distinct option for parents seeking something familiar yet slightly unconventional for their daughters.

Is this popular name really Michaela, or is it a combination of McKenna and Kayla. The real answer: it's a fusion of trends.

Stylized as McCrae, this attractive Scottish surname-name is found in Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, as the surname of hero Augustus/Gus McCrae. Also spelled MacCrae or McRay among other variations, the meaning is variously given as son of grace or luck, or more literally as "son of Rath".

McGeorge is a masculine name that originated as a Scottish and Irish surname, combining the Gaelic prefix 'Mac' meaning 'son of' with 'George,' which derives from Greek 'georgos' meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.' As a first name, McGeorge is extremely rare, most notably associated with McGeorge Bundy, a U.S. National Security Advisor during the 1960s. The name carries an air of distinction and heritage, connecting its bearer to Celtic roots while incorporating the classic name George. Though uncommon as a first name, it offers a unique option for parents interested in surname-as-first-name traditions or honoring Scottish or Irish ancestry. Its rarity ensures individuality while maintaining recognizable elements.

Mccauley is a masculine name derived from an Irish and Scottish surname, originating from the Gaelic "Mac Amhalghaidh," meaning "son of Amhalghaidh" (an ancient personal name). As a first name, it emerged following the trend of using family surnames as given names, gaining modest recognition in the late 20th century. The name received a boost in visibility through actor Macaulay Culkin's fame in the 1990s, though the spelling Mccauley remains less common than Macaulay. The prefix "Mc" clearly signals its Celtic heritage, giving it a distinctive cultural connection. While never reaching widespread popularity, Mccauley appeals to parents seeking a name with strong Irish or Scottish roots and a confident, distinctive sound. It carries associations of tradition and heritage while maintaining a contemporary edge.

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 this name to their children each year are fans.

McLaren is an Anglicization of the surname MacLabhrainn, meaning "son of Labhrann." Labhrann is the Gaelic form of Laurentius, from which Lawrence also derived.

McTavish is a masculine name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic patronymic name 'Mac Tamhais,' meaning 'son of Thomas.' It was traditionally a surname rather than a given name, belonging to a clan from the Highland regions of Scotland. The 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefix distinctly indicates 'son of' in Gaelic naming traditions. As a first name, McTavish is quite rare and represents a modern trend of using traditional surnames as given names. This practice often aims to honor family heritage or ancestry. The name carries strong Scottish associations and evokes images of Highland traditions, tartan, and clan loyalty, making it an uncommon but distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with clear cultural roots.

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 also work as an alternative for of Mackayla, derived from Michael, or to honor a Kay.

McCarthy is one of a wave of new Irish surname-names, one of the most popular last names of Irish origin now translated to a first name. Mac is an attractive nickname.

McPhee is a masculine name that originated as a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Dhuibhshíthe,' meaning 'son of Dubhshith' (dark peace). As a first name, McPhee is extremely rare, though the surname gained recognition through notable bearers like Scottish poet Kathleen Jamie McPhee and American entertainer Katharine McPhee. The name carries a strong Scottish heritage and distinctive sound. Using McPhee as a first name follows the modern trend of adopting surnames as given names, appealing to parents seeking unique options with cultural significance. Though uncommon, it offers a recognizable structure through the familiar 'Mc' prefix while providing individuality. Its brevity and straightforward pronunciation add to its accessibility despite its rarity.

Whether you pronounce it Mac-cleen or Mac-clayn, this is one of the crispest and most appealing of the Mac names. The Scottish clan Maclean is one of the oldest of the Highland Scottish clans. Trivia tidbit: Sir Fitzroy Maclean is said to have been an inspiration for the Ian Fleming James Bond character.

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 nicknames Mac or Art

Maclaren is a masculine name derived from Scottish Gaelic origins, functioning primarily as a surname before its adoption as a given name. It originated as a clan name meaning 'son of Laurence' or 'devotee of St. Lawrence.' The prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' traditionally indicates 'son of' in Scottish and Irish naming traditions. As a first name, Maclaren represents the modern trend of transforming surnames into given names, appealing to parents seeking distinctive options with historical roots. The name carries associations with Scottish heritage and tradition. While relatively uncommon as a first name, Maclaren has gained modest attention in recent decades, particularly among families with Scottish connections. Its sophisticated sound and heritage connections give it a distinguished quality.

Macallan is a distinctive masculine name with Scottish origins, most famously associated with the renowned single malt whisky distillery in the Speyside region of Scotland. The name derives from the Gaelic 'Magh' meaning 'plain' and 'Ellan' referring to St. Fillan, literally translating to 'plain of St. Fillan.' As a given name, Macallan represents a modern trend of adopting surname or brand names for children, appealing to parents seeking names with cultural significance and strong phonetic presence. Though relatively uncommon, Macallan offers appealing nickname options like Mac or Cal. The name carries connotations of refinement and craftsmanship due to its whisky association, while its Scottish heritage provides a sense of tradition and place. Its rising usage reflects parents' interest in distinctive names with cultural cachet.

Maclayne is a distinctive masculine name with Scottish and Gaelic influences. It appears to be a modern compound formation, possibly combining elements of 'Mac' (meaning 'son of' in Gaelic) with 'Layne' or 'Lane.' This creates a name with aristocratic overtones that suggests heritage and lineage. Maclayne has an appealing contemporary sound while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. It remains quite uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a masculine name with strength and uniqueness. The name carries a sophisticated quality with its blend of traditional prefix and modern-sounding suffix. Its rarity gives a child named Maclayne a distinctive identity without being unpronounceable or too unusual.

A rare Mc surname used for both girls and boys in the US. It ultimately derives from Laurentius, as does Lawrence.

Macrae is a feminine name with Scottish Gaelic origins, though it can also be used for males. It derives from the clan name Mac Rath, meaning 'son of grace' or 'son of prosperity.' As a surname-turned-first-name, it reflects the Scottish tradition of using clan names as given names, connecting the bearer to their Highland heritage. While not among the most popular names, Macrae has a distinguished, understated elegance that appeals to parents seeking Celtic names beyond the more common choices. Its usage as a first name became more noticeable in the late 20th century as interest in Scottish heritage names increased. The name carries associations with the beautiful Scottish Highlands and the proud traditions of the Macrae clan.