Mckay
Mckay is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Son of Aodh (meaning 'fire').
Origin and history
Mckay originates as a Scottish and Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Aodha. It gained usage as a given name in the United States alongside the broader trend of using Gaelic surnames as first names. Today, it remains a relatively rare and distinct masculine choice.
Popularity in the United States
2,296 babies in the United States have been named Mckay since 1880. It ranks #2701 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1705.
States where it is most popular
- UT (80.8 %)
- CA (8.8 %)
- ID (7.3 %)
- AZ (2.7 %)
- TX (0.34 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 6 |
| 1920-1930 | 19 |
| 1930-1940 | 5 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 9 |
| 1970-1980 | 61 |
| 1980-1990 | 177 |
| 1990-2000 | 613 |
| 2000-2010 | 647 |
| 2010-2019 | 537 |
| 2020-2029 | 222 |
Fun facts
- The name is derived from the Gaelic Mac Aodha, referring to the ancient deity or concept of fire.
- It is part of the long-standing English naming tradition of adapting family surnames into given names.