Mcadoo
A boy's name of Irish origin with 68 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Mcadoo hit its peak of 26 births in 1918, American naming still drew heavily from family heritage, religious tradition, and the cultural norms of the time.
Today, Mcadoo reads as a vintage revival candidate — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Mcadoo is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Mcadoo is a boy's baby name of Irish origin, from the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Dubh, meaning 'son of the black-haired lad' or 'son of the devotee of the dark saint.' Bob McAdoo, the NBA Hall of Famer, made this surname recognizable in American sports.
Irish clan surnames as first names honor ancestral heritage with pride. McAdoo carries that Celtic lineage into a name with both athletic legacy and deep Gaelic roots.
EtymologyShow more
Mcadoo is built from 6 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Irish naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Mcadoo creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mcadoo has 6+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1917.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 19 | #4002 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 49 | #2136 | — |
The Story of Mcadoo
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Mcadoo is a name steeped in history. Boys named Mcadoo are most likely born between 1917 and 1924.
How rare is Mcadoo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Mcadoo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, peaked in the 1910s with 49 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Mcadoo by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(6 years, 1917–1924)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1924 | 7 | #3723 |
| 1921 | 6 | #4172 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4112 |
| 1919 | 12 | #2462 |
| 1918 | 26 | #1430 |
| 1917 | 11 | #2516 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mcadoo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mcadoo most popular?
How popular is the name Mcadoo?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–1924