"son of Cathal, son of the battle-ruler"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: Gaelic
Mccall
Pronunciation: [ m-uhk-AWL ]
Does Mccall flow with your last name?
A proud Celtic surname turned bold first name
Scottish
Irish
American
Strong
Bold
Modern
Unique
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"devotee of battle rule"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
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The Story of Mccall
McCall is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Cathmhaoil, meaning son of Cathal where Cathal means battle rule (from cath meaning battle and all meaning rule). As a first name, McCall follows the popular surnames-as-first-names trend, particularly fashionable in the American South and among families honoring Scottish or Irish ancestry.
McCall as a first name for girls has been quietly climbing as parents seek surname-style names with character and heritage. It gained some visibility from the TV show Person of Interest where the protagonist is named McCall.
In Scottish and Irish heritage, the Mc/Mac prefix signals proud clan lineage. Using McCall as a given name honors Celtic ancestry while making a bold naming statement. The name carries the spirit of Scottish strength and independence.
Historical Record
Mccall first appeared in US Social Security records in 1977.
Over 1,111 babies have been named Mccall in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mccall is past its peak , currently ranked #5,182 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Mc prefix means son of in Gaelic, though the name is now given to girls just as freely
- McCall is a city in Idaho, named after Tom McCall who owned a sawmill there in the 1880s
- The surname-as-first-name trend is especially strong in the American South and among families with Celtic heritage
Mccall in Other Languages
French
McCall
Spanish
McCall
Irish Gaelic
Mac Cathmhaoil
Scottish Gaelic
MacCathmhaoil
Popularity Over Time
#5,182
Current Rank
Peaked 1993
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mccall
E
Erin McCall
Entertainer
1975
Scottish comedian and television presenter known for hosting various UK entertainment programs
R
Rob McCall
Athlete
1958
Canadian ice dancer and Olympic bronze medalist at the 1988 Calgary Olympics
S
Samantha McCall Fictional
Other
Fictional character from the long-running soap opera General Hospital, a private investigator with a complex past
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Compare Mccall with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,182
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish Irish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Mac
Cali
Cal
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mccall
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Mccall
Phonetic neighbors that share Mccall's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Mccall is also used as a boy name, ranked #11838.
View Mccall as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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Latin origin
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Greek via Spanish-American origin
"light, torch (from Helen/Helene root)"
#5,154 in US
Maysie
Girl
English origin
"child of May, springtime"
#5,320 in US
Coralyn
Girl
English blend origin
"blend of Cora (maiden) and Lynn (lake)"
#5,098 in US
Addeline
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Old German via French origin
"of noble birth"
#5,101 in US
Aveya
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Sanskrit origin
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Hebrew origin
"highest point, citadel"
#5,220 in US
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Japanese origin
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#5,169 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mccall
What does the name Mccall mean?
"son of Cathal, son of the battle-ruler" (from Scottish Gaelic). "devotee of battle rule" (from Irish Gaelic). McCall is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Cathmhaoil, meaning son of Cathal where Cathal means battle rule (from cath meaning battle and all meaning rule). As a first name, McCall follows the popular surnames-as-first-names trend, particularly fashionable in the American South and among families honoring Scottish or Irish ancestry.
What is the origin of the name Mccall?
Mccall has Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, Scottish, Irish, and American origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "son of Cathal, son of the battle-ruler". In Irish Gaelic, it means "devotee of battle rule".
Is Mccall a boy or girl name?
Mccall is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5182. As a boy name, it is ranked #11838. Mccall is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mccall?
Mccall is pronounced m-uhk-AWL.
How popular is the name Mccall?
Mccall is currently ranked #5182 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mccall?
Common nicknames for Mccall include Mac, Cali, and Cal.
What are good middle names for Mccall?
Popular middle name pairings include Mccall Grace, Mccall Jane, Mccall Rose, Mccall Quinn, Mccall Blair, and Mccall Leigh.
What are good sibling names for Mccall?
Names that pair well with Mccall as siblings include Sullivan, Finnegan, Callahan, Reagan, Tierney, and Brennan.
How many syllables does Mccall have?
Mccall has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mccall a common or rare name?
Mccall is an uncommon name, ranked #5182 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Mccall
Mccall is a girl name with Scottish, Irish, and American origins . The name means "son of Cathal, son of the battle-ruler" in Scottish Gaelic .
Is Mccall a boy or girl name? Mccall is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,182 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #11,838. Mccall is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mccall is currently ranked #5,182 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mccall has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-uhk-AWL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Mccall include Mac, Cali, and Cal. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis