Macklan
A Scottish masculine name derived from the Gaelic "mac Laomuinn" meaning "son of the servant."
Name Census estimates that about 131 living Americans carry the first name Macklan. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Macklan today is around 7 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Macklan births was 2022 (22 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Macklan. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
131
~ 1 in 2,616,445 Americans
Peak year
2022
22 babies that year
Average age
7
years old
2024 SSA rank
#9,500
Tracked since 2012
Popularity
Macklan: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Macklan from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 68 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Macklan by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Macklan during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Macklan
The name Macklan is a relatively modern creation, likely stemming from the Scottish Gaelic language in the late 20th century. It appears to be a combination of the prefix "Mac," meaning "son of," and the name "Clan," which refers to a Scottish family or kinship group.
While the exact origins of Macklan are unclear, it may have been coined as a nod to Scottish heritage or as a way to blend traditional Scottish naming conventions with a more unique and contemporary sound. The name's connection to the word "clan" suggests a sense of familial pride and belonging.
There are no recorded instances of the name Macklan appearing in ancient texts, religious scriptures, or historical records, as it seems to be a relatively modern invention. However, its Scottish roots and resemblance to more established names like Malcolm and Ian give it a sense of historical authenticity.
Some of the earliest recorded examples of individuals bearing the name Macklan include Macklan McCartney, an American musician born in 1973, and Macklan Mackwood, a British actor born in 1980. While not widely known figures, their presence in the latter half of the 20th century suggests that the name was in use, albeit sparingly, during that time period.
One of the more notable individuals named Macklan is Macklan Makenzie, a Canadian artist and sculptor born in 1962. His works have been exhibited in galleries across North America and Europe, and he is known for his innovative use of mixed media and his exploration of environmental themes.
Another individual of note is Macklan O'Connell, an Irish-American entrepreneur born in 1955. He founded a successful technology company in the 1980s and has since been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.
Finally, Macklan Ramsey, born in 1970, is a respected American historian and author who has written several acclaimed books on the American Civil War era. His in-depth research and engaging writing style have earned him numerous accolades within the academic community.
While the name Macklan may be relatively new and uncommon, its Scottish roots and unique blend of traditional and modern elements have allowed it to carve out a niche in the world of given names. Its association with notable individuals across various fields further solidifies its place in the cultural lexicon.
People
Macklan + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Macklan as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Macklan: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Macklan?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 131 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Macklan going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,616,445 US residents.
Is Macklan a common name?
We classify Macklan as "Very Rare". It ranks above 68.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 132 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Macklan most popular?
The single biggest year for Macklan was 2022, when 22 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Macklan is about 7 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Macklan in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Macklan a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Macklan in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Macklan still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Macklan in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Macklan can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Macklan?
Want to know how many Americans are named Macklan? HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, puts the living-bearer count front and centre.