“Mc prefix” describes McDonald’s branding use of “Mc” in names such as McNuggets.
McDonald’s made the short form “Mc” a highly recognizable part of its product and promotional naming. Menu items such as McNuggets, McChicken, McFlurry, and McCafé use the prefix to connect different offerings to the corporate brand.
The naming pattern works as a verbal extension of the Golden Arches. Customers can identify a product as part of the McDonald’s system even when the full restaurant name does not appear in the product name. This consistency became especially useful as the company added products across countries and menu categories.
The prefix is sometimes confused with the surname prefix “Mac,” which has a different spelling and historical origin. In McDonald’s branding, the corporate form is specifically “Mc,” and capitalization is part of the familiar visual style.