Macaulay

At a Glance

Meaning

Son of Amhalghaidh (a personal name linked to Olaf)

Origin

Scottish/Irish Gaelic (surname)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

mə-KAW-leeListen

Macaulay is a Scottish and Irish Gaelic surname, and it literally means 'son of Amhalghaidh,' a personal name linked to Olaf. You may come across the claim that it means 'son of righteousness' — that's not accurate; the name traces back to Amhalghaidh, not any word for righteousness. It's a name rooted in surname history rather than a modern invention.

Meaning & Origin of Macaulay

Meaning: Son of Amhalghaidh (a personal name linked to Olaf).

Origin: Scottish/Irish Gaelic (surname).

A common claim: Often said to mean 'son of righteousness' Actually: This is incorrect; the surname derives from the Gaelic personal name Amhalghaidh (related to Olaf), not from any word for 'righteousness'.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Macaulay

Popularity of Macaulay

Social Security data from 1990 to 2024 shows Macaulay peaked at #2153 in 1992, when 36 babies received the name, before falling to #7517 in 2024 with just 11 babies given the name.

Names Like Macaulay

These names have followed a similar path to Macaulay in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Macauley
• Mahamadou
• Tea
• Teanna
• Melik
• Reanna

FAQ

What does the name Macaulay mean?

Son of Amhalghaidh (a personal name linked to Olaf). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Macaulay?

Macaulay is pronounced mə-KAW-lee (IPA: /məˈkɔːli/).

Is Macaulay a popular name right now?

Macaulay peaked at #2153 in 1992 and is ranked #7517 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1990–2024.)

Make Macaulay Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Macaulay, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.