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.
The name Mccai has a unique presence in the United States, with only six babies being given this name each year since 2013. This makes it a rare choice among parents, who perhaps aim to distinguish their child from more common names. Despite its limited popularity, Mccai remains consistently chosen by families year after year, demonstrating that some parents value uniqueness over trends in naming their children. As of now, the total number of babies named Mccai in the United States is six since 2013.