A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Mack since 1880
Babies named Mack per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1942, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mack's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,062 |
| 1890s | 1,370 |
| 1900s | 1,562 |
| 1910s | 3,892 |
| 1920s | 5,459 |
| 1930s | 4,636 |
| 1940s | 5,646 |
| 1950s | 4,212 |
| 1960s | 2,715 |
| 1970s | 1,741 |
| 1980s | 1,306 |
| 1990s | 1,019 |
| 2000s | 1,270 |
| 2010s | 3,200 |
| 2020s | 3,630 |
Meaning & origin
Mack is a concise, strong-sounding name with Scottish and Irish origins, often derived from Mac- names meaning 'son of.' It was most popular in the United States around 1900, when it ranked highest, and has seen a resurgence since 1996. Currently ranked 463rd in 2025, it is given to about 1 in every 2,557 boys. The name has consistently been used across the country, with particular popularity in states like Montana, North Dakota, and Utah. Its revival aligns with a broader trend toward short, classic-sounding names. Mack carries a straightforward, no-frills appeal that fits well with modern style preferences.
Mack is typically a short form of Scottish and Irish surnames or given names beginning with Mac- (Gaelic for 'son of'). As a standalone given name, it emerged in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it was used both as a nickname and an independent first name. The name has also been associated with the English word 'mack' meaning a raincoat, though this is not a direct source.
Where Mack 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.
“Mack” around the world
Where Mack lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
New Zealand
15
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Mac
Sibling names for Mack
Names that share Mack's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Mack
Names whose popularity has moved with Mack's over the last 50 years.
