What is the common nickname for the two curved yellow shapes in McDonald’s logo?

The two curved yellow shapes in McDonald’s logo are commonly called the Golden Arches.

The arches originated as architectural features of McDonald’s early restaurant buildings. The first arches were designed for the restaurant opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, in 1953, and they were intended to make the building visible from the road.

In 1962, the arches were combined into a stylized letter M for McDonald’s corporate identity. The symbol gradually became more important than the restaurant’s building design and eventually served as a globally recognizable logo.

People sometimes call the symbol simply the “yellow M,” but “Golden Arches” is the established brand nickname. The arches should also not be confused with Speedee, an earlier McDonald’s mascot.