How popular is the baby name Macgyver in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Macgyver.

The graph will take a few moments to load. (Don't worry, it shouldn't take 9 months!) If it's taking too long, try reloading the page.


Popularity of the baby name Macgyver


Posts that mention the name Macgyver

Where did the baby name Georgemichael come from?

George Michael's album "Faith" (1987)
George Michael album

Singer George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou) released his first solo album in late 1987.

Four of the singles from Faith reached the #1 spot on the Billboard charts in 1988 — “Faith” in January, “Father Figure” in February, “One More Try” in May, and “Monkey” in August.

In 1989, Faith won a Grammy for Album of the Year. “Father Figure” was also nominated a Grammy, but lost to Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

Also in 1989, we see the compound name Georgemichael sneak onto the U.S. baby name charts for the very first time:

  • 1991: 6 baby boys named Georgemichael
  • 1990: unlisted
  • 1989: 6 baby boys named Georgemichael [debut]
  • 1988: unlisted
  • 1987: unlisted

The SSA omits spaces and hyphens, so no doubt some of these Georgemichaels were actually named “George Michael” or “George-Michael.”

U.S. parents gave name one more try in 1997, when it briefly popped back onto the charts, but it hasn’t appeared in the data since then.

The sitcom Arrested Development (2003-2006) featured a character called George Michael, but the character wasn’t able to revive the name. (A character named Maeby, however, did manage to influence the charts…)

Where did the baby name MacGyver come from in 1989?

The character Angus MacGyver from the TV series "MacGyver" (1985-1992).
Angus MacGyver from “MacGyver“

A few months ago, in a post about creative baby names in Latin America, I mentioned “Makgiber” — a take on MacGyver, the name of both the popular American TV show MacGyver (1985-1992) and the remarkably resourceful lead character of that show, secret agent Angus MacGyver.

It made me wonder…have any U.S. babies been named after MacGyver?

Turns out the answer is yes!

The name MacGyver made its first appearance in the U.S. baby name data a bit belatedly, in 1989:

  • 1991: 7 baby boys named MacGyver
  • 1990: 6 baby boys named MacGyver
  • 1989: 6 baby boys named MacGyver [debut]
  • 1988: unlisted
  • 1987: unlisted

In my opinion, MacGyver might be the best ’80s-inspired baby name of all time. Seriously. How could anyone with even a passing interest in pop culture not appreciate this name? The main associations are inventiveness/ingenuity, cheesy ’80s TV, Scotland, mullets, and possibly duct tape.

The surname is a variant spelling of MacIver/McIver, which is based on a Gaelic phrase meaning “son of Íomhar.” The name Íomhar is based on the Old Norse name Ívarr, made up of the elements ýr, meaning “yew” or “bow” (bows were made yew wood) and herr, meaning “warrior.”

In mid-2015, MacGyver — long used informally as a verb — was added to the Oxford Dictionary. To “MacGyver” is to “make or repair (an object) in an improvised or inventive way, making use of whatever items are at hand.” “[H]e has a shock of short red hair and a pair of rectangular-framed glasses MacGyvered with duct tape”.

What are your thoughts on MacGyver as a baby name?

Sources: How ‘MacGyver’ became a verb, MacGyver – Oxford Dictionaries, SSA

Image: Screenshot of MacGyver