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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Is Mack/Mac a weird and silly name?

42 replies

hopefully · 03/06/2008 11:29

I met a bloke called Mack once and always liked the name, but I'm not usually one to go for unusual names. Will I sound like I have tried to come up with a cool and alternative name and failed? Apparently it has Irish/Scottish roots...

While we're on the subject, is Evaline a silly way to spell Evelyn?

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pipintroll · 04/06/2008 13:31

I think Mack is a great name and would have loved it for my ds. Unfortunately our surname is Black.

Weegiemum · 04/06/2008 13:38

at Mack Black!

Original poster

hopefully · 04/06/2008 15:19

On the basis that any name has to suit an actor/writer or a lawyer/politician, I reckon Mack Black would manage the first admirably and fail the second miserably!

Annoyingly I have just realised a shortening of Evaline that will be ridiculous with our surname, am debating whether to point it out to DP or hope no one notices it...

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lollipopmother · 04/06/2008 17:04

Hopefully - They will notice it, you know they will, the more ridiculous it is the more people will notice it!

I'm not sure about Mac/Mack - it's just a bit ..... blaaah. It's not bad, but I don't think 'ohhh I really like that' either, iykwim.

dittany · 04/06/2008 17:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

barbamama · 04/06/2008 23:13

!!! didn't expect to see this name come up !!! I have a 1y old Mack! I was a bit unsure about it when he was born, even though I came up with it, but I have to say I love it now. It really suits him and I get far more positive than negative reactions. We do live in a fairly "tried to come up with a cool and alternative name" area - so that did worry me a tbit but as such he doesn't stand out too much - though to be honest for me it was more to reflect my surname (a Mac one) and that my late father was known as Mac (as a nickname for the surname). He has his Fathers surname which is pretty neutral.

I also think during the pregnancy we were watching a lot of In the Night Garden with the older one so I think Macka Packa was an influence too! Even though I said I wouldn't I do call him Big Mac(k) when he has stuffed his face and even Packa Mack (or Mack Pack) etc which was another one the doom mongers in the family pointed out. Thankfully I don't mix with many people over the age of 50 so Mack the Knife is not a problem - another predicted negative, though I quite like the song anyway. I guess Mac from cars and Mack trucks if you move to the US will be the ones he will come into contact with but, no biggie.

The only slight annoyance is in GP's surgeries etc they always glance at the name without reading properly and call out Matt, Mark or Max but other than that, I love it.

But don't use it, I don't want it to get too common!

barbamama · 04/06/2008 23:18

Oh and my tip would be to call him Cormack as then you can use that which sounds like a fairly standard celtic-y name or Mack if you are feeling coolerbraver (this only occured to me after I had registered him).

Lumley · 04/06/2008 23:38

My mother who is now 75 had an uncle known as Mac and his son was known as Greg, but their full forname was MacGreggor. The uncle also had a brother called Wilson. Born in 1900 and 1902.
They were given surnames as forenames as they were the maiden name of their grandmothers.

Lumley

WigWamBam · 04/06/2008 23:41

There is a Mac in Y1 at dd's school - the name suits him down to the ground. I thought at first it was a shortened name or a nickname, but it's not.

MrsJohnCusack · 04/06/2008 23:44

makes me think of lovely Mac from Green Wing too

his was a nickname for his surname, MacCartney

excitedfornumber2 · 05/06/2008 07:43

mcauley (not sure of spelling), i know of a little boy called this, so it could be shortened to mac

HTH

Shoshe · 05/06/2008 07:58

My BIL is McKenzie, known as Mac.

Original poster

hopefully · 05/06/2008 09:58

Gosh, such a mix of opinions! I think I need to let it grow on me for a while, and see how I feel.

Sadly I suspect Evaline is dead in the water due to the silly word it makes with DP's surname. Damn him and his common surname! Nothing sounded weird with mine! (mostly because my surname was so weird on its own, but that's another story)

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Original poster

hopefully · 05/06/2008 09:58

And barbamama it's nice to see someone's actually used and liked it.

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flowerybeanbag · 05/06/2008 10:09

I know two dogs called Mac so it would be a no-go for me, but actually quite like the name

Alishanty · 05/06/2008 13:53

I know it was my dp's grandad's name but it was a nickname and I can't remember what his 'proper' name was. I know he had scottish connections.

Original poster

hopefully · 05/06/2008 14:30

Maybe I can claim scottish connections (my dad is!) and use it. Any more long name suggestions welcome, I'm not averse to having a long name and shortening it to Mack if I particularly like the long name too.

Flowery I will try to avoid people with dogs if I use the name, in case of embarrassment!

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