Find out how popular the first name Mcclain has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mcclain by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Mcclain is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 84% of people named Mcclain being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 17 male babies and 8 female babies born with the name Mcclain.

The history of the first name Mcclain

The given name Mcclain has its origins in the Scottish Gaelic language, stemming from the clan name MacLean, which is derived from the Gaelic words 'mac' meaning son, and 'laomuinn' meaning servant or follower of Saint John. The name gained prominence in the medieval era, particularly in the western regions of Scotland, where the MacLean clan held significant influence and territory.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century, where members of the MacLean clan were mentioned in Scottish historical records and charters. One notable figure from this period was Gillean of the Battlered, a renowned warrior and chieftain of the MacLean clan, who played a pivotal role in the clan's conflicts and power struggles during the 13th century.

As the name spread beyond Scotland, it underwent various spellings and adaptations, including McClain, MacClain, and the anglicized version, McClane. Notably, the name appears in the ancient Gaelic manuscript, the Book of Deer, which dates back to the 9th or 10th century, indicating its long-standing presence in Scottish culture and history.

Throughout history, several individuals bearing the name Mcclain have left their mark across various fields. Alney Mcclain (1853-1932), an American politician and lawyer, served as a U.S. Representative from Mississippi. Wilbur McClain (1890-1949), an American academic and legal scholar, made significant contributions to the field of tort law and served as the dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law.

In the realm of sports, Gene McClain (1937-2008) was an American professional baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds in the 1960s. Melvin McClain (born 1962) is a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA for teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers in the 1980s and 1990s.

The name also has a notable presence in the arts, with Barrie Mcclain (1935-2015), an American actress known for her roles in films and television shows like "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Cheers." Additionally, Mcclain has been a popular middle name, as seen in the case of the renowned American writer and journalist, William Mcclain Kennedy (1928-2016).

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 Mcclain was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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