Meaning, origin, history
McCai is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the ancient Irish surname "MacCathail," which means "son of Cathal." Cathal was a popular male given name in Ireland, meaning "battle" or "strife." The prefix "Mac" indicates that the surname refers to a son of someone named Cathal.
The MacCai family is believed to have originated from County Mayo in the west of Ireland. They were part of the O'Connors, one of the most powerful families in medieval Ireland. Over time, the spelling of the name has varied and evolved, with some variations including McKai, Mac Kai, and Makay.
While McCai is not a particularly common given name today, it was once quite prevalent as a surname throughout Ireland and Scotland. In fact, many notable figures have carried this name throughout history, including Scottish poet Alexander McKay (1769-1839), who was born Alexander McCai.
In summary, McCai is an Irish name with a rich historical background. Its meaning, "son of Cathal," gives it a strong and bold connotation that has likely contributed to its enduring popularity as a surname and, more recently, as a unique given name choice.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Mccai since 1880
Total births
6
Total since 1880
Peak year
2013
6 births
in 2013
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-100%
↘
vs previous 5 years