Mac Names
- Mccue
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"son of Hugh"Description:
This surname was used by Grant Show and Katherine La Nasa for their daughter Eloise's middle.
- Macgyver
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of Ivor"Description:
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.
- Macallister
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of Alasdair"Description:
Macallister as a first name is attracting new attention as the name chosen by Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and venture capitalist Zack Bogue for their young son. Macallister is usually heard as a patronymic surname, meaning son of Alasdair or Alistair or any one of the spellings of the Scottish form of Alexander. Like all other names of this type, Macallister leads to the cute short form Mac.
- Mckay
Origin:
English variation of Mckayla, GaelicMeaning:
"who is like God; son of Aodh"Description:
McKay 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.
Alternatively, the name might be a variation of Mckayla, Michaela, and similar, making it a form of Michael, or, it could be translated as "song of Kay".
- Mcafee
Origin:
Irish and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"son of Duibhshíth"Description:
Although highly associated with the internet security company, McAfee joined the reams of possible baby names when it was used for the female character McAfee Westbrook in the Netflix series The Politician.
- Maclaren
Description:
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.
- Mackenzee
Description:
Mackenzee is a modern feminine spelling variation of Mackenzie, which originated as a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Coinnich,' meaning 'son of Coinneach' (the fair one or the handsome one). This particular spelling with the double 'e' ending represents the contemporary trend of giving traditional names unique orthographic twists to create distinction. While the standard Mackenzie rose to popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, this variation emerged later as parents sought more individualized versions of popular names. The double 'e' ending adds a feminine touch to what was originally a unisex name. Mackenzee maintains the strong Scottish heritage of its root while offering a stylized alternative to the more common spelling.
- Mclaughlin
Description:
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.
- Macbeth
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of life"Description:
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.
- Mcphee
Description:
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.
- Maclan
Description:
Maclan appears to be a variant spelling of MacLean or MacLaine, Scottish clan surnames derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gille Eáin," meaning "son of the servant of John." This name carries strong Scottish Highland heritage and might be chosen to honor Scottish ancestry. As a first name, Maclan is extremely uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. The name has a strong, masculine sound with its crisp consonants and straightforward pronunciation. The prefix "Mac" clearly signals its Scottish origins, making it appealing for families wishing to emphasize Celtic heritage. Despite its rarity as a first name, its familiar surname elements make it recognizable and pronounceable, offering a balance between uniqueness and accessibility.
- Mcgwire
Description:
McGwire is a masculine given name that originated as an Irish and Scottish surname meaning "son of the dark-complexioned one" or "son of Gwyer." Its transition to first-name status likely gained momentum following baseball player Mark McGwire's fame in the 1990s, particularly during his record-breaking 1998 season. As a first name, McGwire represents the continuing trend of using family surnames as given names, appealing to parents seeking distinctive options with historical connections. The name carries a strong, athletic association while maintaining its Celtic heritage. Though uncommon as a first name, McGwire fits alongside other surname-inspired choices like McKenzie, McCall, and McGraw that have found places in contemporary naming practices.
- Mcenroe
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"hound of the promontory"Description:
Scottish and Irish Mac and Mc surnames are definitely up for consideration, and this one has sports cred via its link to tennis champ John. It was one of the fastest-rising names on Nameberry in early 2018, though this hasn't translated into real-life use yet. We still think it's one of the coolest undiscovered Scottish names for boys.
- Magee
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of Hugh"Description:
Magee became one of the first gender-bending Irish surname names so popular today thanks to New York television newswoman Magee Hickey. In case you don't know, the g is hard, as in Maggie, but with the opposite emphasis.
- Mackinzie
Description:
Mackinzie is a masculine name derived from the Scottish surname Mackenzie, meaning 'son of Kenneth' or 'fair one.' This particular spelling variation emerged in North America as part of the trend toward distinctive renderings of traditional names. While Mackenzie (and variations like Mckenzie) are more commonly used for girls in recent decades, the Mackinzie spelling tends to appear more frequently for boys. The name carries associations with Scottish heritage and conveys strength and individuality. Its popularity peaked in the early 2000s amid the broader trend of using surnames as first names. Mackinzie offers a masculine alternative within the Mackenzie family of names while maintaining the appealing 'z' sound that makes it distinctive.
- Mcleod
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of Leod"Description:
A Scottish surname with cool nickname Mac and a cloudy sound.
- Mcrory
Description:
Mcrory is an unusual masculine name that originated as a Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Ruaidhrí,' meaning 'son of Rory' or 'son of the red king.' As a first name, it represents the trend of transforming family surnames into given names, particularly among those with Celtic heritage. Extremely rare as a first name, Mcrory maintains its distinctive Scottish and Irish character while offering a unique option for parents seeking an uncommon name with historical roots. The prefix 'Mc' clearly signals its Celtic origins. The name may present some pronunciation challenges (typically muh-KROH-ree), and its unusual structure with the lowercase 'c' following the initial 'M' can create administrative complications. Despite these practical considerations, Mcrory offers a strong connection to Celtic heritage for those drawn to their ancestral naming traditions.
- Mccarthy
Origin:
Irish surnameMeaning:
"son of Cárthach"Description:
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.
- Mclaren
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"son of Labhrainn"Description:
A rare Mc surname used for both girls and boys in the US. It ultimately derives from Laurentius, as does Lawrence.
- Macegan
Description:
Macegan is a modern masculine name that appears to be a blended creation combining elements of traditional names. It likely incorporates the Scottish/Irish prefix 'Mac' meaning 'son of' with 'Egan' (an Irish name meaning 'little fire' or 'fiery'). Alternatively, it could be a creative blend of 'Mace' and 'Egan' or a variation of 'Keegan.' This contemporary name emerged primarily in the late 20th or early 21st century as part of the trend toward unique, distinctive names with Celtic undertones. While relatively uncommon, Macegan offers parents seeking originality a name with apparent Irish/Scottish heritage and a strong, masculine sound.
The Nameberry App Is Live
Find your perfect baby name together in our app, now available on the App Store and Google Play.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
