​
​
Advanced Search

Mac Names

Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Wed Feb 19 2025
Mac Names

Names that start with Mac or Mc are Irish or Scottish patronymics designating "son of." Of course, many of the most popular Mac names today, such as Mackenzie and McKenna, are usually given to girls. But there are a raft of lesser-used Mac names that work well for boys and lead to the adorable short form Mac.

Along with Mackenzie and McKenna, other Mac names in the US Top 1000 include McKinley, McKenzie, and Mack itself. Mac and Mc names including Macallister, McCoy, and McGreggor have been chosen by celebrities for their children.

If you have a Mac name on your family tree, consider co-opting it as a name for your son or daughter. Or select from our list of Mac and Mc Names, below, organized by their current popularity on Nameberry.

RELATED:

Irish Names

Irish Last Names

Baby Names That Start with M

  1. Mackenzie

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Kenneth"

    • Description:

      Originally inspired as by eighties TV actress Mackenzie Phillips, parents since have flocked to Mackenzie for their daughters. Now a staple All-American choice, Mackenzie has ranked in the US Top 1000 for nearly 50 years.

      Mackenzie originates from the Scottish surname which itself an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich. Coinnich is one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth meaning "handsome, beautiful, comely".
  2. Mccoy

    • Origin:

      Anglicization of MacAoidh or MacAodha, Scottish, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Aodh; son of fire"

    • Description:

      One of many Irish and Scottish surnames starting with Mac and Mc that also feel usable as given names, McCoy has a jaunty and energetic sound. The name entered the US Top 1000 in 2020, and was given to around 220 boys in the US in a recent year, along with 6 girls.
  3. Mackenzie

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Kenneth"

    • Description:

      This lively Scottish surname is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich, Coinnich being one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth.
  4. Macaulay

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of righteousness"

    • Description:

      Made famous by former child star Macaulay Culkin, one of the more popular Mac names.
  5. Mckenna

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Kenneth"

    • Description:

      Mackenzie begat McKenna - a catchy but very trendy choice. While the Mc or Mac prefix means "son of," this is much more popular as a girl name in the US, peaking at #177 in 2002.
  6. Mckinley

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the fair hero"

    • Description:

      Presidential name that makes a fresh substitute for MacKenzie or McKenna. Possible spelling variations include MacKinley, MacKinlee, Makinleigh ad almost infinitum. McKinley is one of the Scottish names for girls that can work equally well for boys.
  7. Mckinley

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the fair hero"

    • Description:

      New Presidential name, if you're ready to move beyond Lincoln and Jefferson. At the turn of the last century, during the original McKinley's heyday, as a first name it almost reached the Top 100.
  8. Mckenzie

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Mackenzie, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Kenneth"

    • Description:

      Used quietly on boys in the US since the early 20th century, Mckenzie was abruptly overtaken by the Mackenzie spelling back in 1973 when actress Mackenzie Phillips introduced the name as a possibility for girls. While Mckenzie has never matched its sibling spelling in popularity, it nevertheless climbed the charts in its wake, peaking in 2000 at #133.
  9. Macauley

    • Description:

      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 family name, Macauley transitioned to use as a given name following the trend of adopting surnames as first names. The name carries associations with Celtic heritage and has variations including Macaulay, MacAuley, and McCauley. While never reaching top-tier popularity, Macauley saw increased usage in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century. The name received modest attention through association with actor Macaulay Culkin in the 1990s, though his spelling variant has been more recognized. Macauley projects strength and traditional masculine qualities while maintaining its distinctive Scottish roots.

  10. Macallister

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  11. Mackenna

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the handsome one"

    • Description:

      Although the Mc or Mac prefix always means "son of", the first names McKenna and MacKenna are used in the US exclusively for girls, with the McKenna spelling outpacing this one 14 to 1. There are no boys recorded with either spelling of the name.
  12. Maclain

    • Description:

      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 carries the strong heritage and clan associations common to Scottish patronymic naming traditions. The name has a distinguished, somewhat aristocratic quality while maintaining a contemporary sound. Though rare as a first name, Maclain appeals to parents with Scottish heritage or those seeking a distinctive name with clear cultural roots. The pronunciation may vary, with some saying 'mak-LANE' while others prefer 'mak-lin.' Maclain offers the trendy appeal of surnames as first names while providing a direct connection to Celtic heritage and history.

  13. Maclean

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "servant of Saint John"

    • Description:

      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.
  14. Mckay

    • Origin:

      Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  15. Mclaren

    • Origin:

      Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "son of Labhrainn"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Irish, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the servant of St. John"

    • Description:

      A stylish but as yet undiscovered surname-style name, with the familiar sounds of Lane, Mack, and and Kane.
  17. Mccartney

    • Origin:

      Scottish surname

    • Meaning:

      "son of Artan"

    • Description:

      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 year. McCartney meets our definition of a unisex name, although it used more often for girls.
  18. Macallan

    • Description:

      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.
  19. Macrae

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of grace"

    • Description:

      MacRae -- or McRay or McCrae -- is a Scottish surname-name whose meaning is most often given as son of grace or sometimes son of luck. The hero of Lonesome Dove's last name was McCrae. A good honor name for a Ray or Rae, it can also be shortened to Mac.
  20. Maguire

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the beige one"

    • Description:

      Although Maguire is such a prominent Irish surname —it ranks in the Top 40 in the Emerald Isle —this lively and cheerful family name has rarely been used as a first, unlike more familiar examples like Ryan, Riley and Reagan. The powerful and distinguished Maguire clan was known for their courage, leadership and resilience. The name's many notable associations include the unionizing Pennsylvania coal miners known as the Molly Maguires, actor Tobey Maguire and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire. Other spellings are McGuire and McGwire; two other handsome Irish surnames to consider are Malone and Magee.