Declining since 2007, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Maclain since 1988
Babies named Maclain per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 97 |
| 2000s | 164 |
| 2010s | 102 |
| 2020s | 51 |
Meaning & origin
Maclain is a Scottish and Irish surname turned first name, entering U.S. records in 1988. It peaked in popularity in 2007 and has been gradually declining since. In 2025, it held a rank of 10,695, with roughly 1 in 284,679 boys given the name. Its Gaelic roots connect to the tradition of using 'Mac' names, which often signify lineage. The name has remained relatively rare, never appearing among the top baby names in any state.
Maclain is a Scottish and Irish surname turned given name, derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Eoin, meaning 'son of the servant of (Saint) John'. It originated as a clan name in the Scottish Highlands and Ireland, and began to be used as a first name in the late 20th century in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mac, Lain
Sibling names for Maclain
Names that share Maclain's style, for a brother or sister.
