'It's Always Sunny' Star Rob McElhenney Officially Changes Name to Rob Mac

Rob McElhenney, star and creator of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," has filed to legally change his name to Rob Mac, a nickname derived from his character on the show and the first syllable of his last name. This change aims to simplify pronunciation, especially as his production company, More Better Industries, expands internationally, where his original surname poses challenges. The new surname has already been used in official credits for the show and his other ventures, including the FX docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham," which chronicles his co-ownership of the Wrexham AFC soccer club with Ryan Reynolds. Despite the practical reasons for the change, McElhenney's immediate family, including his wife and co-star Kaitlin Olson, and their children, are reportedly unhappy with the decision since they retain the original surname. McElhenney himself shared that some extended family members have also considered altering or have altered the surname due to similar pronunciation difficulties. The name change is set against the backdrop of the upcoming Season 17 premiere of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," continuing the show's long-standing popularity.