Mac Boy

Popularity: #584 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Mack //mæk//

Origin: Scottish; Irish

Meaning: Scottish: son of; Irish: son of

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Mac originates from the Gaelic word "mac," meaning "son of." This term has its roots in Old Irish, where it was used to denote lineage or descent, particularly in the context of clan names. The name evolved through various forms, including the Middle Irish "mac," which retained the same meaning.

As Gaelic-speaking populations migrated and settled in different regions, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, the term became a common prefix in surnames, signifying a familial connection. The transition into English occurred during the medieval period, as the Gaelic culture interacted with Anglo-Norman influences, leading to the adoption of Mac as both a surname and a given name in English-speaking contexts.

Historically, the name Mac has been associated with several notable figures and families. In the 12th century, the MacDonald clan emerged as one of the most prominent in Scotland, claiming descent from the ancient kings of the Isles.

The name also appears in various historical texts, including the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century, which chronicled the lineage of British nobility. Additionally, the name has been linked to saints, such as Saint Macartan, who is venerated in Ireland and is believed to have lived in the 5th century.

The use of Mac in names has been a significant marker of identity and heritage within Gaelic culture. Culturally, the name Mac embodies themes of kinship and belonging, reflecting the importance of family ties in Gaelic societies.

It has been used in various traditional contexts, often symbolizing strength and loyalty among clans. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as "Mack," which have been used informally.

The enduring legacy of Mac in both historical and cultural narratives highlights its significance as a marker of lineage and identity within the broader tapestry of Gaelic and English naming traditions.

Famous people named Mac

In this section, you will find notable people named Mac. 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 Mac who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Mac 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.

Mac Miller was a rapper and singer best known for Blue Slide Park, Swimming, and Circles.

Mac Davis was a singer-songwriter and actor best known for Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me, Hard to Be Humble, and his role in North Dallas Forty.

Fictional characters named Mac

The following list of fictional characters named Mac 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.

Mac is a fictional character from the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He is a member of the Gang and is known for his delusions of grandeur and martial arts skills.

Mac is a fictional character from the animated series Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. He is the young boy who created Bloo and is often seen trying to balance his friendship with his imaginary friend and the real world.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mac, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JackMaxSamLukeBenLeo

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mac. 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.

MarkMackenzieMalcolmMasonMiloMarcusMaddoxMarek

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Mac was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Mac has ranked as high as #1227 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in Texas, California, North Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee.

In the past 5 years the name Mac has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Mac 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 Mac was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Mac.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 395 390 5
2024 389 389 0
2023 426 417 9
2022 470 465 5
2021 401 401 0
2020 242 237 5
2019 254 254 0
2018 206 206 0
2017 185 185 0
2016 174 174 0
2015 177 177 0
2014 163 163 0
2013 159 159 0
2012 147 147 0
2011 110 110 0
2010 116 116 0
2009 99 99 0
2008 86 86 0
2007 86 86 0
2006 77 77 0
2005 54 54 0
2004 54 54 0
2003 67 67 0
2002 67 67 0
2001 62 57 5
2000 58 58 0
1999 58 58 0
1998 40 40 0
1997 38 38 0
1996 48 43 5
1995 37 37 0
1994 43 38 5
1993 36 36 0
1992 41 41 0
1991 43 43 0
1990 47 47 0
1989 37 37 0
1988 42 42 0
1987 37 37 0
1986 28 28 0
1985 38 38 0
1984 40 40 0
1983 27 27 0
1982 32 32 0
1981 47 47 0
1980 55 55 0
1979 67 67 0
1978 60 60 0
1977 67 67 0
1976 90 90 0
1975 105 105 0
1974 70 70 0
1973 56 56 0
1972 43 43 0
1971 32 32 0
1970 57 57 0
1969 33 33 0
1968 36 36 0
1967 47 47 0
1966 51 51 0
1965 72 72 0
1964 45 45 0
1963 58 58 0
1962 68 68 0
1961 63 63 0
1960 68 68 0
1959 69 69 0
1958 86 86 0
1957 77 77 0
1956 69 69 0
1955 92 92 0
1954 84 84 0
1953 88 88 0
1952 115 115 0
1951 127 127 0
1950 122 122 0
1949 106 106 0
1948 105 105 0
1947 138 138 0
1946 150 150 0
1945 149 142 7
1944 197 197 0
1943 238 238 0
1942 398 398 0
1941 80 80 0
1940 73 73 0
1939 88 88 0
1938 77 77 0
1937 70 70 0
1936 76 76 0
1935 68 68 0
1934 86 86 0
1933 75 75 0
1932 70 70 0
1931 73 73 0
1930 67 67 0
1929 66 66 0
1928 54 54 0
1927 72 72 0
1926 61 61 0
1925 83 76 7
1924 68 68 0
1923 76 76 0
1922 61 61 0
1921 71 71 0
1920 74 74 0
1919 77 77 0
1918 80 75 5
1917 76 76 0
1916 55 55 0
1915 65 65 0
1914 43 43 0
1913 34 34 0
1912 36 36 0
1911 22 22 0
1910 16 16 0
1909 16 16 0
1908 12 12 0
1907 21 21 0
1906 22 22 0
1905 7 7 0
1904 16 16 0
1903 5 5 0
1902 8 8 0
1901 9 9 0
1900 12 12 0
1898 6 6 0
1897 7 7 0
1896 12 12 0
1894 6 6 0
1893 5 5 0
1892 6 6 0
1891 5 5 0
1890 6 6 0
1889 5 5 0
1888 11 11 0
1887 5 5 0
1886 5 5 0
1883 5 5 0
1881 7 7 0
1880 7 7 0

Top States for Mac (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 21
6%
TX 21
6%
PA 18
5%
IL 17
5%
MA 17
5%
OH 17
5%
NY 16
4%
MN 15
4%
IN 14
4%
MI 14
4%
AL 14
4%
FL 13
4%
UT 11
3%
TN 10
3%
WI 8
2%
NJ 8
2%
CT 8
2%
OK 8
2%
AZ 7
2%
CO 7
2%
SC 7
2%
NC 7
2%
NE 7
2%
IA 7
2%
WA 7
2%
AR 6
2%
MO 6
2%
MT 6
2%
OR 5
1%
MS 5
1%
KY 5
1%
LA 5
1%
GA 5
1%
ME 5
1%
VA 5
1%
ID 5
1%