McDonald's used the name Happy Meal for its children's meal when it launched the product nationally in 1979.
The Happy Meal combined a child-sized serving of food with a toy or other promotional item in a distinctive package. Its design made the meal itself part of McDonald's branding, rather than treating the children's offering as only a smaller menu order.
The product had regional predecessors before the national United States launch, including children's meal concepts tested in different markets. The 1979 national introduction established the name and format that became internationally recognizable.
A common mix-up is treating every McDonald's children's meal as identical worldwide. Menu contents, packaging, and toys vary by country, but “Happy Meal” is the core brand name used across many markets.