Mac
Mac is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Son of.
Origin and history
Mac originated as a Gaelic prefix meaning 'son of,' commonly used as a surname element in Scotland and Ireland. It developed into an independent given name in the English-speaking world. In the United States, Mac has historically served as a traditional nickname and short standalone name, seeing a steady revival in modern usage.
Popularity in the United States
11,397 babies in the United States have been named Mac since 1880. It ranks #1109 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #674.
States where it is most popular
- TX (12.2 %)
- CA (8.8 %)
- NC (6.2 %)
- AL (4.9 %)
- OH (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 45 |
| 1890-1900 | 53 |
| 1900-1910 | 128 |
| 1910-1920 | 499 |
| 1920-1930 | 679 |
| 1930-1940 | 750 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,627 |
| 1950-1960 | 929 |
| 1960-1970 | 541 |
| 1970-1980 | 647 |
| 1980-1990 | 383 |
| 1990-2000 | 421 |
| 2000-2010 | 705 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,691 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,299 |
Famous people named Mac
- Mac Miller: Rapper, Singer
- Mac MacAnally: Musician, Songwriter
Fun facts
- In Gaelic naming traditions, 'Mac' means 'son' and was originally paired with a father's name or trade to form surnames.
- While traditionally a diminutive for names like Cormac or Mackenzie, Mac has recorded over 11,000 births as a standalone boys' name in the U.S. since 1880.