Mclain
Primarily a boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 217 recorded births. Also given to 19 girls.
Meaning & Origin
At 6 letters and one syllable, Mclain hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1982, with 217 total recorded births.
Currently ranked #8089, Mclain is familiar enough that people will recognize it but not so common that your child shares it with three classmates.
In the most recent SSA release, Mclain ranks #8089 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Mclain is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, a variant of McLain or McLane — from the Gaelic Mac Gille Eathain, meaning 'son of the servant of Saint John.' The Mc- prefix marks it clearly as a name of Scottish/Irish clan heritage.
Mclain is strong and Celtic — a name that carries the pride of clan lineage and the rugged beauty of Gaelic heritage, worn with natural authority.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Mclain's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Mclain follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Mclain's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mclain climbed 563 spots in the last 20 years — from #8652 to #8089.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 18 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 69 | — |
| 2000s | 73 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 51 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 6 | — |
The Story of Mclain
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2002, Mclain is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Mclain are most likely born between 1992 and 2012.
How rare is Mclain?
Only about 1 in every 360,000 babies born in 2024 was named Mclain — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1982, peaked in the 2000s with 73 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Mclain by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(27 years, 1982–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | #8089 |
| 2021 | 8 | #9386 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10371 |
| 2017 | 9 | #8598 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11656 |
| 2015 | 10 | #7854 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8567 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11680 |
| 2012 | 9 | #8633 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11786 |
| 2010 | 7 | #10381 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10643 |
| 2006 | 7 | #10277 |
| 2005 | 9 | #8081 |
| 2004 | 8 | #8652 |
| 2003 | 11 | #6567 |
| 2002 | 12 | #5953 |
| 2001 | 9 | #7301 |
| 2000 | 10 | #6666 |
| 1999 | 6 | #9489 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Mclain as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Mclain has also been given to 19 girls in the U.S. since 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mclain a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mclain most popular?
How popular is the name Mclain?
Can Mclain be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1982–2024