Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Mac

Mac

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAK /ˈmæk/Medium

Meaning: From the Gaelic mac ('son of'), the prefix of many Scottish and Irish surnames, used as a short nickname. Usually a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A punchy one-beat nickname: Mac means 'son of' in Gaelic (said 'MAK'). Usually a boy's name, which we note.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowScottish, Irish
MeaningFrom the Gaelic mac ('son of'), the prefix of many Scottish and Irish surnames, used as a short nickname. Usually a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we note.
U.S. rank (2023)#10816 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 53

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319182023

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mac is the Gaelic mac ('son of'), long a surname prefix and casual nickname. As a girl's name it is very rare; it is usually a boy's name, which we note (said 'MAK').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, punchy, and short.

Did you know? Mac comes from the Gaelic mac ('son of'), the prefix of Scottish and Irish surnames like MacDonald — a short, punchy nickname that is usually a boy's name, which we note (said 'MAK').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Mac — Gaelic 'son of'; nickname; boy-leaning

Variations

MackMackieMacc

Nicknames

MacMacky

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mac…

Mack— a spelling twin
Mabel— a like short Ma- name
Macy— a like Mac- name
Max— a like punchy one-beat nickname

Explore names like Mac

By themeshortcross-sexunisex-lean-boygaelic

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mac mean?

Mac is the Gaelic 'son of,' a surname prefix and nickname; it is usually a boy's name, which we note.

How do you pronounce Mac?

It's said MAK /ˈmæk/ — one syllable.

Is Mac a boy or girl name?

Mac is used for both, but usually for boys — we note the lean.

How popular is Mac?

Mac is rare for girls in the U.S. and more common for boys.

💬 Ask Nia