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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mccartney

Mccartney

♂ Boy

Pronounced muh-KART-nee /məˈkɑrt.ni/High

Meaning: McCartney is an Irish surname, from Mac Cartaine, 'son of Cartaine' — a diminutive of the personal name Cartach/Carthach. Its modern fame belongs to the musician Paul McCartney.Low

In 30 seconds: Mccartney is an Irish surname — and, for most families, a nod to Paul McCartney (said 'muh-KART-nee').
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningMcCartney is an Irish surname, from Mac Cartaine, 'son of Cartaine' — a diminutive of the personal name Cartach/Carthach. Its modern fame belongs to the musician Paul McCartney.
U.S. rank (2024)#13497 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 119

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200519952024

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

Mccartney is an Irish surname from Mac Cartaine, 'son of Cartaine', a diminutive of the same personal name behind McCarthy. As a given name its pull is unmistakably musical: Paul McCartney of the Beatles made it a household word, and parents choosing it are usually choosing that. A surname name with a soundtrack (said 'muh-KART-nee').

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

Did you know? Mccartney is an Irish surname meaning 'son of Cartaine' — but almost everyone hears it as a tribute to Paul McCartney, which we note plainly (said 'muh-KART-nee').
Overall data confidence 52%
References — Mccartney — Irish Mac Cartaine; Paul McCartney association

Variations

McCartneyMacartney

Nicknames

MacCartCarty

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mccartney…

Lennon— the other Beatle surname name
Harrison— a like Beatles-linked surname pick
Mccoy— a matching Mc- Irish surname
Jagger— a same-spirit rock surname name

Explore names like Mccartney

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mccartney mean?

Mccartney is an Irish surname from Mac Cartaine, 'son of Cartaine'; today it is best known from Paul McCartney.

How do you pronounce Mccartney?

It's said muh-KART-nee /məˈkɑrt.ni/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Mccartney a boy or girl name?

Mccartney is used here as a boy's name; it also turns up for girls as a surname pick.

How popular is Mccartney?

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

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