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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mccarthy

Mccarthy

♂ Boy

Pronounced muh-KAR-thee /məˈkɑr.θi/High

Meaning: McCarthy is an Irish surname, from Mac Carthaigh, 'son of Carthach' — a personal name understood as 'loving'. As a given name it is a modern surname pick.Medium

In 30 seconds: Mccarthy is an Irish surname meaning 'son of Carthach' — from a name read as 'loving' (said 'muh-KAR-thee').
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningMcCarthy is an Irish surname, from Mac Carthaigh, 'son of Carthach' — a personal name understood as 'loving'. As a given name it is a modern surname pick.
U.S. rank (2024)#13496 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 59

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201919942024

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

Mccarthy comes from the Irish surname Mac Carthaigh, 'son of Carthach', a name read as 'loving'. The MacCarthy dynasty ruled in Munster and left the name among the most common in Ireland's south. Carried into first-name use in the American surname-name wave, it keeps a bright Irish lilt (said 'muh-KAR-thee').

It appears rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and Irish-rooted.

Did you know? The McCarthys were kings of Munster, and their name traces to Carthach, a personal name understood as 'loving' — a fierce clan with a tender root (said 'muh-KAR-thee').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Mccarthy — Irish Mac Carthaigh, 'son of Carthach' ('loving')

Variations

McCarthyMacarthyCarthy

Nicknames

MacCarty

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mccarthy…

Mccoy— a like Mc- Irish surname pick
Murphy— a matching Irish surname name
Brody— a same-spirit Irish-rooted choice
Malachy— a similarly popular pick
Mccartney— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Mccarthy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mccarthy mean?

Mccarthy is an Irish surname from Mac Carthaigh, 'son of Carthach', a personal name understood as 'loving'.

How do you pronounce Mccarthy?

It's said muh-KAR-thee /məˈkɑr.θi/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Mccarthy a boy or girl name?

Mccarthy is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Mccarthy?

Mccarthy is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

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