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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

What do you think of the name Mack?

105 replies

saltysealion · 17/06/2025 23:11

I haven’t really heard of it before the tv show Molly and Mack, is it a name on its own? I like it but don’t want to be too out there. Just thought it might make a change from Jack. Or no?

OP posts:
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legolegoeverywhereandnotadroptodrink · 18/06/2025 06:20

Big Mack!

BoleynMemories13 · 18/06/2025 06:13

I agree with most that Mack is more of a nickname (often related to someone's surname, rather than first name).

I'd be hugely put off by the McDonald's references and all the other associations, such as Mac and Cheese and the songs (Return of the Mack, Mack the knife etc).

As a given name, Jack or Max are far preferable.

Moreteaandchocolate · 18/06/2025 03:00

I like it as a nn for Malachi

Cherrington · 18/06/2025 02:57

If he’s tall or overweight does he risk being called Big Mack?

I think of it as a nickname for someone with a surname starting with Mac/Mc.

Boreded · 18/06/2025 02:45

Tooty78 · 17/06/2025 23:15

Makes me think of the big American truck.

Or the song, return of the Mac

petsarebetterfriends · 18/06/2025 02:42

Only as a nickname.

mathanxiety · 18/06/2025 02:35

I know a Malachi who goes by Mack.

I wouldn't use it as anything but a nickname.

nocoolnamesleft · 18/06/2025 02:31

Isn’t Mack usually a nickname for someone whose surname starts with Mc or Mac?

junebirthdaygirl · 18/06/2025 02:20

My friend calls her dh Mac as he has a surname like McDonald etc and l think it sounds lovely and friendly but not as the only name to give a child.

PluckyBamboo · 18/06/2025 01:45

Google the character Mrs Mack from the 1980's/1990's soap 'Take the high road' and you'll soon change your mind!

zebrastripesarefun · 18/06/2025 01:28

Love this name. Short and strong

Devianinc · 18/06/2025 01:19

Maximilian is ok and shortened to max. Mack is too in your face like slam, pow. There’s nothing soft about it. But you do what you like. Maybe your little Mack will be a very gentle soul. I get that you like what you like.

Newmeagain · 18/06/2025 01:02

Big Mac?

SnowFrogJelly · 18/06/2025 00:56

Awful.. sounds like a coat

MsPengiuns · 18/06/2025 00:45

Great name for a penguin.

teksquad · 18/06/2025 00:44

Great name. I know a 17y old Mack and he's really sweet. He had never heard of Mack the Knife of course, because he's not in his fifties ...

Lauren Laverne (radio DJ) has a son called Mack.

ACatAsleepInYourHat · 18/06/2025 00:42

Jimmy Mack, when are you coming back?

Needspaceforlego · 18/06/2025 00:41

Sorry Op Mack is Lightening McQueens truck. And all the wee boys in his class will know it.

StrokeCity · 18/06/2025 00:32

🎶Return of the ...

AngelofIslington · 18/06/2025 00:24

I know 2 Mack’s, both nicknames, one for Mackie and the other Mackenzie.
we are in Scotland though so its not that uncommon here

Itallcomesdowntothis · 18/06/2025 00:23

Mac and Cheese
Mac trucks
Mac the knife
Apple Mac
Mac cosmetics

No, not in good company here. Keep thinking.

repeatingabaselessclaim · 18/06/2025 00:16

Mac or Mack can be a nickname for someone with a name such as Malcolm or Magnus, McKenzie or Macklem, or McKenna.

It's also a standalone name.

My DF is known as Mac, though in his case it's the first letters of his first, middle, and last name, that spell out MAC.
So for me I quite like it @saltysealion

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 18/06/2025 00:15

No, it sounds like you named him when you were drunk or something.

But short for Cormac yes

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 18/06/2025 00:13

colachive · 17/06/2025 23:16

As a surname as in “Lee”, or a first name as in “the knife”?

Even with Lee, it's an abbreviation of his actual surname that sounds snappier for showbiz purposes.

I would tend to view it as an informal nickname for somebody with the surname MacKenzie, MacDonald or similar. Like musician John Osbourne is known as Ozzy, because of his surname; or like sports presenter Chris Kamara is known as Kammy.

gerispringer · 18/06/2025 00:09

Too much like Muck