What name was given to McDonald’s signature clown mascot when he debuted in 1963?

McDonald’s signature clown mascot, introduced in 1963, was named Ronald McDonald.

Ronald was created to give McDonald’s a memorable personality for children and families. His name directly echoed the company name, making the character easy to associate with the restaurant brand. He soon became the central figure in McDonald’s child-focused advertising.

The mascot was later placed within the expanding McDonaldland fictional universe, where he interacted with characters such as Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese. This turned McDonald’s branding into a connected story world rather than a series of isolated advertisements.

Ronald’s design and public role changed over time, and the character has appeared less prominently in some markets in recent years. Nevertheless, Ronald McDonald remains one of the most recognizable restaurant mascots in advertising history.