Mclean
Primarily a boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 348 recorded births. Also given to 21 girls.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Mclean, you're looking at a name that fewer than 348 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The clean, contemporary ending gives Mclean a direct, strong feel that works well in both playground and boardroom.
In the most recent SSA release, Mclean ranks #9534 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Mclean is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, from the Scottish clan name Mac Gille Eathain, meaning 'son of the servant of Saint John.' The McLean clan has deep roots in the Scottish Hebrides and is one of the great Highland clans. As a given name, McLean/Mclean carries the rugged highland heritage of one of Scotland's most celebrated warrior families.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Mclean is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1923–2024). Its Scottish Gaelic roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Mclean is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #9534), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mclean was #7960 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #9534, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 27 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 41 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 72 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 93 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 80 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 30 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 5 | — |
The Story of Mclean
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1996, Mclean is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Mclean are most likely born between 1986 and 2006.
How rare is Mclean?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Mclean — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1923, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 93 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Mclean by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(45 years, 1923–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #9534 |
| 2023 | 5 | #13477 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8746 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13381 |
| 2019 | 7 | #10444 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11658 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11625 |
| 2014 | 5 | #13365 |
| 2013 | 5 | #13394 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10382 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13584 |
| 2009 | 7 | #10609 |
| 2008 | 6 | #12057 |
| 2007 | 5 | #13714 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11572 |
| 2005 | 6 | #11011 |
| 2004 | 9 | #7960 |
| 2003 | 8 | #8352 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9067 |
| 2001 | 9 | #7302 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Mclean as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Mclean has also been given to 21 girls in the U.S. since 1998.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mclean a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mclean most popular?
How popular is the name Mclean?
Can Mclean be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1923–2024