The word "McAdams" is phonetically spelled as /məˈkædəmz/ with five syllables. The first syllable "mə" is pronounced as schwa sound and the "c" in "Mc" is silent. The second syllable "kæ" has a short vowel sound and is followed by the "d" sound in the third syllable "dəm". The final syllable "z" is pronounced as the plural "s" sound. Overall, the phonetic spelling of "McAdams" can be confusing since it deviates from the traditional spelling rules of English.
The word McAdams is a surname of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name Mac Adaim, which means son of Adam. The prefix Mac signifies son of, while Adaim derives from the biblical name Adam. The McAdams surname likely originated as a patronymic surname, indicating descent from someone named Adam. Over time, it may have been anglicized and simplified to McAdams.