Find out how popular the first name Macalla has been for the last 1 years (from 1997 to 1997) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Macalla by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Macalla is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1997, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Macalla.

The history of the first name Macalla

The name Macalla is of Irish Gaelic origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic word "macalla," meaning "echo" or "reverberation." This name was likely bestowed upon individuals who possessed a powerful voice or were known for their oratory skills.

In ancient Irish mythology, Macalla was also the name of an elusive female figure associated with the natural phenomenon of echoes. According to legend, she was a beautiful maiden who fell in love with a youth named Narcissus. When he rejected her advances, she wasted away until only her voice remained, echoing through the valleys and glens.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Macalla dates back to the 12th century, when it appeared in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. One notable bearer of the name was Macalla Ó Cléirigh, a renowned Irish scribe and historian who lived from 1590 to 1643. He is renowned for his contributions to the preservation of ancient Irish manuscripts and historical records.

Another notable figure was Macalla O'Byrne, a 16th-century Irish chieftain and leader of the O'Byrne clan. He was known for his fierce resistance against English colonization efforts in Ireland and his defense of traditional Gaelic customs and territories.

In the 17th century, Macalla Ó Duibhgeannáin was a renowned Irish poet and scholar who composed works in both Irish and Latin. His poetic compositions were celebrated for their intricate use of language and their preservation of ancient Irish literary traditions.

Moving into the 18th century, Macalla Ó Raghallaigh was an influential Irish harpist and composer. He was renowned for his mastery of the traditional Irish harp and his efforts to preserve and promote the rich heritage of Irish music.

Lastly, Macalla Ní Ghallchóir, born in 1885, was a celebrated Irish language activist and writer. She played a pivotal role in the Gaelic Revival movement, advocating for the preservation and promotion of the Irish language and culture.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Macalla was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Macalla, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!