What is the name of McDonald’s overlapping yellow “M” logo?

McDonald’s overlapping yellow “M” logo is called the Golden Arches.

The name comes from the pair of yellow arches first used as architectural features on McDonald’s restaurants. When the elements were combined into a stylized symbol, they created the familiar shape associated with the company’s name.

The Golden Arches became much more than a restaurant sign. They appeared on roadside billboards, food packaging, advertisements, uniforms, and corporate materials, allowing customers to recognize McDonald’s quickly in many countries.

The arches are sometimes mistaken for the company’s earliest mascot or slogan. Speedee was the original chef character, while phrases such as “You Deserve a Break Today” were advertising lines. The Golden Arches are the enduring visual mark that links McDonald’s branding across those different campaigns and eras.