What name was given to McDonald's combined arch symbol first used as a logo in 1962?

McDonald’s combined arch symbol, first used as a logo in 1962, was called the Golden Arches.

The symbol developed from the large yellow arches built into McDonald’s restaurant designs during the 1950s. As the chain expanded, the arches became useful not only as architecture but also as a compact identifier for signs, packaging, and advertising.

Jim Schindler created the logo by joining the two arches into a stylized letter-like form. The design helped turn a physical building feature into a portable corporate mark.

The Golden Arches are often described simply as a yellow “M,” but their historical name refers to the arches themselves. Their shape and color became central to McDonald’s visual identity around the world.