Mcdonald Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The surname McDonald has Scottish Gaelic origins, meaning 'son of Donald' and is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Dhomhnaill'. It has evolved from its historical forms and is associated with the Clan Donald. The name suggests traits of leadership and tradition, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in Scotland and is now widely known, especially due to the fast-food industry. Variants include MacDonald and McDonnell, and notable people include figures linked to the McDonald's brand.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Mcdonald"
Pronunciation
/məkˈdɒnəld/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The surname McDonald is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Dhomhnaill', which means 'son of Donald'. Donald itself comes from the Gaelic 'Dòmhnall', meaning 'ruler of the world'.
Meaning
son of Donald
Language Evolution
Mac Dhomhnaill, MacDonald, Mcdonald
Historical Usage
The surname gained popularity in Scotland during the medieval period, particularly associated with the Clan Donald, one of the largest clans in Scotland.
Variants & Derivatives
MacDonald, McDonnell, Donaldson, Donal
Modern Popularity & Image
The name McDonald is widely recognized due to its association with the fast-food chain McDonald's, which has given it a contemporary image of accessibility and familiarity.
Famous People
Ray Kroc, Ronald McDonald, Donald McDonald
📊 Mcdonald Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Mcdonald Name Visualizations
✨ Mcdonald Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 19 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Mcdonald" - Complete Guide (1 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Mcdonald". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 1 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Mcdonald" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Mcdonald"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Mcdonald"
"Mcdonald" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2486th of 7545 | 172 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2400th of 6773 | 182 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2616th of 7552 | 187 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5458th of 10718 | 54 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Mcdonald" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
71.30% 1687th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
91.29% 2148th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
77.71% 2217th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Mcdonald" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Mcdonald"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Mcdonald" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Mcdonald" in the United States
The name Mcdonald is most popular in North Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Mcdonald has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Mcdonald' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2486th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2400th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2616th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5458th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Mcdonald' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.