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