Cormac Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOR-mak //ˈkɔːr.mæk//
Origin: Irish; Gaelic
Meaning: Irish: 'charioteer'; Gaelic: 'son of the charioteer'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cormac has its roots in the Old Irish name "Cormac," which is derived from the elements "cor" meaning "charioteer" or "raven" and "mac" meaning "son." This etymology suggests a literal meaning of "son of the charioteer" or "son of the raven." The name has been preserved in various forms throughout the centuries, transitioning from Old Irish to Middle Irish and eventually into the modern English usage, maintaining its original phonetic structure. Historically, Cormac is associated with several notable figures in Irish history and mythology.
One of the most prominent is Cormac mac Airt, a legendary High King of Tara, who is said to have reigned in the 3rd century. His reign is celebrated in various medieval texts, including the "Annals of the Four Masters" and the "Book of Leinster," which highlight his wisdom and justice.
Additionally, Cormac appears in early Christian texts, where he is often depicted as a patron of learning and the arts, further embedding the name in the cultural and historical narrative of Ireland. The name Cormac carries significant cultural resonance, particularly in Irish folklore and literature.
It is often associated with themes of leadership, valor, and wisdom, reflecting the qualities attributed to its historical bearers. The name has also been linked to various saints and ecclesiastical figures, reinforcing its importance in the Christian tradition.
In literature, Cormac has inspired various works, serving as a symbol of Irish heritage and identity. The diminutive form "Mac" is sometimes used affectionately, though Cormac itself remains the primary form in historical contexts.
Famous people named Cormac
In this section, you will find notable people named Cormac. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cormac who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Cormac who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Cormac McCarthy is an author best known for The Road, No Country for Old Men, and Blood Meridian.
Cormac O'Brien is a writer best known for his work in the field of historical fiction and fantasy.
Fictional characters named Cormac
The following list of fictional characters named Cormac is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Cormac McCarthy is a fictional character from the novel The Road. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose works often explore themes of survival and the human condition.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cormac, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cormac. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cormac was first seen in the United States in 1956.
Cormac has ranked as high as #1199 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in New York, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Cormac has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cormac is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cormac was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Cormac (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 14 | |
| CA | 12 | |
| NY | 12 | |
| MA | 11 | |
| PA | 10 | |
| TX | 9 | |
| CT | 8 | |
| OH | 8 | |
| MI | 6 | |
| WA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cormac.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 157 |
| 2023 | 158 |
| 2022 | 152 |
| 2021 | 158 |
| 2020 | 153 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2018 | 140 |
| 2017 | 177 |
| 2016 | 170 |
| 2015 | 175 |
| 2014 | 196 |
| 2013 | 169 |
| 2012 | 163 |
| 2011 | 150 |
| 2010 | 126 |
| 2009 | 103 |
| 2008 | 113 |
| 2007 | 102 |
| 2006 | 74 |
| 2005 | 72 |
| 2004 | 58 |
| 2003 | 56 |
| 2002 | 67 |
| 2001 | 74 |
| 2000 | 52 |
| 1999 | 37 |
| 1998 | 50 |
| 1997 | 41 |
| 1996 | 48 |
| 1995 | 34 |
| 1994 | 19 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1992 | 9 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1982 | 7 |
| 1979 | 11 |
| 1978 | 9 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1971 | 9 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1956 | 5 |