Mckay

Meaning of Mckay

Mckay, articulated in American English as /məˈkeɪ/, derives from the Scottish Gaelic patronymic Mac Aoidh—“son of Aodh,” with Aodh signifying “fire” in early Celtic lexica—and its transition from surname to masculine forename exemplifies an Anglo-American onomastic trend of repurposing family names as given names. According to United States Social Security data, Mckay recorded 31 occurrences among male newborns in 2024, securing the 893rd rank after a historical trajectory that peaked within the 500–700 range in the late twentieth century and subsequently oscillated through the 800s. This statistical profile underscores the name’s sustained yet circumscribed adoption, while its concise phonemic structure and cultural resonance confer upon it a reserved distinction prized by families seeking a name at once rooted in heritage and marked by linguistic clarity.

Pronunciation

American English

• Pronunced as muh-KAY (/məˈkeɪ/)