The first name Macaulay
A boy’s name meaning “son of amhalghaidh”, “son of amhlaoibh”, “son of amhlaidh”.
Pronounced /məˈkɔːli/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Macaulay means “son of amhalghaidh”, “son of amhlaoibh”, “son of amhlaidh”.
From Scotland, an anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic Gaelic Mac Amhalghaidh ("son of Amhalghaidh"). From Ireland, an anglicisation of the Gaelic Mac Amhlaoibh ("son of Amhlaoibh") or Mac Amhlaidh ("son of Amhlaidh"). These Gaelic names are derived from the Old Norse personal name Áleifr and Óláfr.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 8 boys were named Macaulay, making it the 2,664th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 248 births (#143).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Macaulay with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Macaulay at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 17 boys born in the United States were named Macaulay, the 5,521st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1992, when 36 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Macaulay
2 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Macaulay CulkinAmerican actor and singer (born 1980)
- G. M. TrevelyanBritish historian (1876–1962)
Questions
- What does the name Macaulay mean?
- Macaulay means “son of amhalghaidh”, “son of amhlaoibh”, “son of amhlaidh”.
- How popular is the name Macaulay?
- In 2025, 8 boys born in England and Wales were named Macaulay, ranking 2,664th. Its peak was 1996, with 248 births.
- Is Macaulay a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 95% of the 282 US babies named Macaulay since 1880 were boys.
- When was Macaulay most popular?
- 1992 in the United States, when 36 babies were named Macaulay, its highest rank at 2,153rd.
- How do you pronounce Macaulay?
- Macaulay is /məˈkɔːli/, 3 syllables.
- Is Macaulay also a surname?
- Yes. Macaulay is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.