A 1940s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Mac since 1880
Babies named Mac per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2022, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mac's real moment was 1942.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 45 |
| 1890s | 53 |
| 1900s | 128 |
| 1910s | 499 |
| 1920s | 679 |
| 1930s | 750 |
| 1940s | 1,627 |
| 1950s | 929 |
| 1960s | 541 |
| 1970s | 647 |
| 1980s | 383 |
| 1990s | 421 |
| 2000s | 705 |
| 2010s | 1,691 |
| 2020s | 2,299 |
Meaning & origin
Mac is a short, strong name with deep Scottish and Irish roots. Originally a prefix meaning 'son' in Gaelic, it was used as a nickname for surnames like MacKenzie or MacCarthy. As a given name, Mac gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, peaking at rank 695 in 1942 with 1 in 4,380 births. After a decline, it has been rising again since 1986. The name is most commonly found in states like Utah, Iowa, and Massachusetts, reflecting its enduring appeal in areas with strong Scottish heritage.
Mac is a common given name in English-speaking countries, originating as a short form of names beginning with the Gaelic prefix 'mac', meaning 'son'. In Scotland and Ireland, surnames such as MacKenzie or McCarthy were often shortened to Mac as a nickname. The name has also been used independently since the 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Mac is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mac” around the world
Where Mac lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
17
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Mack
Sibling names for Mac
Names that share Mac's style, for a brother or sister.
