Macauley is an uncommon yet distinctive given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname McAuley, which is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Mag Uidhir. The name means 'son of Udhar', where Udhar was a personal name possibly meaning 'bright' or 'luminous'.
The use of Macauley as a given name appears to have begun in Scotland during the 18th century, although it remained quite uncommon throughout most of its history. It is not listed among the most popular names in any country, which contributes to its unique and distinctive character.
In literature, the name Macauley is perhaps best known for its association with Thomas Babington Macaulay, a prominent British historian and poet who lived during the 19th century. However, there are no famous figures with the first name Macauley, allowing those who bear this name to forge their own identities and associations.
Overall, Macauley is an uncommon yet captivating given name of Scottish origin that offers its bearer a unique identity and rich historical context.
The name Macauley had a peak of popularity with 24 births each in both 1992 and 1993. After the late 1990s, its usage began to decline, with fewer than 10 births per year occurring consistently since 2002. The most recent years show a slight resurgence with 6 or more births recorded between 2011 and 2022. Overall, there have been a total of 243 births named Macauley over the specified period.