What name did McDonald's give its famous golden M-shaped symbol?

McDonald's calls its famous M-shaped symbol the Golden Arches.

The arches originated in the restaurant architecture designed by architect Stanley Meston for Richard and Maurice McDonald's San Bernardino drive-in. Two large yellow arches were incorporated into the building's exterior, making the restaurant visible from the road.

The architectural features later became a graphic logo. In 1962, McDonald's introduced a logo based on the arches, helping transform a building element into a globally recognizable corporate symbol. The nickname “Golden Arches” became common shorthand for the company itself.

A frequent mix-up is treating the arches as a symbol that existed unchanged from the restaurant's beginning. The early arches were physical structures, while the later logo was a simplified graphic mark. Their commercial importance grew as McDonald's expanded internationally and consistent visual branding became increasingly important.