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Mac

♂ Boy

Pronounced MAK /mæk/High

Meaning: Son of; from Scottish Gaelic and Irish Mac, the prefix meaning 'son of' in Gaelic patronymic surnamesHigh

In 30 seconds: Short and confident, Mac is the Scottish Gaelic word for 'son of' — the building block of countless Scottish and Irish clan names. As a standalone given name it carries rugged, effortless cool.
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Origin HighScottish Gaelic, Irish
MeaningSon of; from Scottish Gaelic and Irish Mac, the prefix meaning 'son of' in Gaelic patronymic surnames
U.S. rank (2025)#696 → Stable
2025 U.S. births390 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 11,395

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202218802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Mac derives from the Scottish Gaelic and Irish mac, meaning son. It is the defining element in Scottish patronymic surnames such as MacDonald (son of Donald), MacGregor (son of Gregor), and MacKenzie (son of Coinneach). As a standalone given name, Mac developed in the United States in the 20th century as a friendly, all-American nickname.

Mac became popular as a given name in mid-20th-century America, where it carried a rugged, blue-collar charm. It was commonly used as a generic term of address for a man whose name you didn't know ('Hey, Mac!'). As a formal given name, Mac has seen a revival in the 21st century alongside short, strong names like Ace, Bo, and Rex.

Did you know? The prefix Mac (and its Irish form Mc) appears in thousands of surnames — MacDonald, MacGregor, McAllister — because medieval Scottish and Irish clans identified themselves as sons of a founder. Giving a child the name Mac is a nod to that entire ancestral tradition.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Mac — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MackMc

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Mac Davis (1942–2020)
    American country singer-songwriter and entertainer, known for writing hits for Elvis Presley.

If you like Mac…

Mack— the most direct alternate spelling sharing identical pronunciation and feel
Finn— another Celtic one-syllable name with the same crisp, masculine energy
Ace— fellow one-syllable bold name with the same modern, confident vibe
Bo— short, strong one-syllable name with the same casual, powerful character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mac mean?

Mac means 'son of' in Scottish Gaelic and Irish, the same prefix found in thousands of clan surnames like MacDonald, MacGregor, and McKenzie.

How do you pronounce Mac?

Mac is pronounced MAK /mæk/ — one syllable.

Is Mac a complete name or just a nickname?

Mac is both. It works as a full given name and also as a short form of names starting with Mac- or Mc-.

Is Mac a popular boys' name?

Mac has been in consistent use in the U.S. for decades and has seen renewed interest in the 2010s–2020s as part of the trend for short, strong names.