Mccoy

Pronunciation: [ m-uhk-OY ]

Boy Name #911 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

An Appalachian surname name meaning son of fire

American Irish Scottish

Bold Unique Earthy Strong Modern

Meaning & Origin

"son of Aodh (fire)"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

"son of fire"

Origin: Celtic

Language: Scottish Gaelic

Things to Know About This Name

The phrase the real McCoy means the genuine article — parents should know their child will inevitably hear this phrase

The Story of Mccoy

McCoy is an anglicization of the Irish and Scottish surname Mac Aodha or MacKay, meaning son of Aodh, where Aodh is an ancient Celtic name meaning fire. It was the clan surname of the Scottish Clan Mackay in the Highlands and was carried to America by Scots-Irish immigrants. The McCoys became famous through the legendary Hatfield-McCoy feud in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky and West Virginia in the late 19th century.

McCoy as a given name emerged in the 2010s-2020s as surname-style first names boomed. The expression the real McCoy (meaning genuine and authentic) gives the name a positive connotation of authenticity. Dr. Leonard McCoy from Star Trek also keeps the name in cultural circulation.

The Hatfield-McCoy feud (1863-1891) is one of the most famous family conflicts in American history, becoming a symbol of Appalachian culture, loyalty, and pride. The phrase the real McCoy originated in Scotland or North America and means the genuine, authentic article.

Fun Facts

The Hatfield-McCoy feud killed at least 12 people and became a symbol of Appalachian culture and family loyalty
The phrase the real McCoy is thought to have originated in reference to Scottish inventor Elijah McCoy's locomotive oil cups in the 1870s

Mccoy in Other Languages

Irish Mac Aodha

Scottish Mackay

Scottish Gaelic MacAoidh

Famous People Named Mccoy

Elijah McCoy

Engineer

1843

African-Canadian inventor who created an automatic lubricator for steam engines, believed by many to be the origin of th...

African-Canadian inventor who created an automatic lubricator for steam engines, believed by many to be the origin of the phrase the real McCoy

Leonard McCoy (Bones) Fictional

Other

Dr. Leonard Bones McCoy, the chief medical officer of the USS Enterprise in the original Star Trek series

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #911
Total SSA Count: 256
Cultural Origins: American Irish Scottish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Mac Coy

Pairs Well With

Mccoy James Mccoy Lee Mccoy Thomas Mccoy Wade Mccoy Dean Mccoy Cole Mccoy Ray

Sibling Names

Wilder Gentry Crosby Sadie Wren Blythe Scout

Also a Girl Name

Mccoy is also used as a girl name, ranked #12028.

View Mccoy as a girl name →

Similar Names

Roy Floyd Leroy Royal Troy Coy Hoyt Joy

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mccoy

What does the name Mccoy mean?

"son of Aodh (fire)" (from Irish Gaelic). "son of fire" (from Celtic). McCoy is an anglicization of the Irish and Scottish surname Mac Aodha or MacKay, meaning son of Aodh, where Aodh is an ancient Celtic name meaning fire. It was the clan surname of the Scottish Clan Mackay in the Highlands and was carried to America by Scots-Irish immigrants. The McCoys became famous through the legendary Hatfield-McCoy feud in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky and West Virginia in the late 19th century.

What is the origin of the name Mccoy?

Mccoy has Irish Gaelic, Celtic, American, Irish, and Scottish origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "son of Aodh (fire)". In Celtic, it means "son of fire".

Is Mccoy a boy or girl name?

Mccoy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #911. As a girl name, it is ranked #12028. Mccoy is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Mccoy?

Mccoy is pronounced m-uhk-OY.

How popular is the name Mccoy?

Mccoy is currently ranked #911 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Mccoy?

Common nicknames for Mccoy include Mac and Coy.

What are good middle names for Mccoy?

Popular middle name pairings include Mccoy James, Mccoy Lee, Mccoy Thomas, Mccoy Wade, Mccoy Dean, Mccoy Cole, and Mccoy Ray.

What are good sibling names for Mccoy?

Names that pair well with Mccoy as siblings include Wilder, Gentry, Crosby, Sadie, Wren, Blythe, and Scout.

How many syllables does Mccoy have?

Mccoy has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Mccoy a common or rare name?

Mccoy is moderately common, ranked #911 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Mccoy

Mccoy is a boy name with American, Irish, and Scottish origins . The name means "son of Aodh (fire)" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Mccoy a boy or girl name? Mccoy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #911 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #12,028. Mccoy is more commonly used as a boy name.

Mccoy is currently ranked #911 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Mccoy has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-uhk-OY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Mccoy include Mac and Coy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.