The baby name Macauley is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced muh-KAW-lee (IPA: /məˈkɔːli/).
The baby name Macauley is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced muh-KAW-lee (IPA: /məˈkɔːli/).
Macauley is in Origin.
Macauley is a Scottish and Irish surname-turned-given name rooted in Gaelic patronymics. It typically derives from Mac Amhlaidh or Mac Amhlaoibh, meaning “son of Aulay/Olaf,” with Aulay the Gaelic form of the Norse name Óláfr, often glossed as “ancestor’s relic/heritage.” Some bearers also come from Mac Amhalghaidh, tied to a different Gaelic personal name of debated meaning, so the sense can vary by family line.
The name was established in Scotland (notably with Clan MacAulay) and in Ulster through Gaelic-Norse contact, later spreading through the Scottish and Irish diasporas. As a given name it remained uncommon until the late 20th century, when attention to the spelling Macaulay - via actor Macaulay Culkin - helped lift all variants. Modern usage appears in the UK, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Related forms include Macaulay, McAuley, McCauley, MacAuley, and MacAulay; informal short forms include Cauley and Coley.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GH | 0 | #247 | 2 | 5,396 | |
| NG | 0 | #272 | 1 | 5,926 | |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #293 | 1 | 6,876 |
| Canada | Boys | 2016 | #329 | 5 | 2,391 |
| GH | Boys | 0 | #361 | 1 | 8,138 |
| PH | Boys | 0 | #408 | 1 | 11,440 |
| SD | Boys | 0 | #466 | 1 | 10,523 |
| CM | Boys | 0 | #575 | 1 | 12,054 |
| NG | Girls | 0 | #765 | 22 | 15,093 |
| BR | Boys | 0 | #785 | 1 | 12,213 |
| NG | Boys | 0 | #862 | 90 | 16,906 |
| United States | Boys | 2024 | #882 | 11 | 7,044 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,142 | 2 | 22,615 |
| TR | 0 | #1,254 | 1 | 19,440 | |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,271 | 2 | 25,619 |
Macauley is popular in 12 countries — most recent births per country:
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!