Mackenzie Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: muh-KEN-zee //məˈkɛn.zi//
Origin: Scottish; Irish
Meaning: Scottish: 'son of the fair one'; Irish: 'comely'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mackenzie has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic surname MacCoinnich, which translates to "son of Coinneach," with Coinneach meaning "handsome" or "fair." The name evolved through various forms, including the Anglicized version Mackenzie, which emerged in the 19th century as surnames began to be adopted as given names. The transition into English usage reflects a broader trend during this period, where traditional surnames were increasingly used as first names, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Historically, the Mackenzie clan is notable in Scottish history, with the clan's origins tracing back to the 13th century. The clan's prominence was established in the Highlands of Scotland, and they played significant roles in various historical events, including the Jacobite risings of the 18th century.
The clan's chief, known as the Lord of Kintail, was a significant figure in Scottish history, and the clan's legacy is preserved in various historical texts and genealogies. Culturally, the name Mackenzie has been associated with strength and resilience, qualities often attributed to the Highland clans.
The name has also been embraced in literature and popular culture, further solidifying its presence in the English-speaking world. The use of Mackenzie as a given name has been accompanied by various diminutive forms, such as Kenzie, which have emerged as affectionate alternatives.
Overall, the name Mackenzie carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its Gaelic origins and the storied legacy of the Scottish Highlands.
Famous people named Mackenzie
In this section, you will find notable people named Mackenzie. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mackenzie who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mackenzie who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mackenzie Davis is an actress best known for Halt and Catch Fire, Blade Runner 2049, and Terminator: Dark Fate.
Mackenzie Foy is an actress and model best known for Interstellar, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
Mackenzie Crook is an actor and writer best known for The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Detectorists.
Mackenzie Blackwood is a professional ice hockey player best known for playing with the Colorado Avalanche.
Fictional characters named Mackenzie
The following list of fictional characters named Mackenzie is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mackenzie is a fictional character from the TV series The Fosters. She is a supportive friend and a love interest for one of the main characters, Callie Adams Foster.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mackenzie, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mackenzie. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mackenzie was first seen in the United States in 1973.
Mackenzie has ranked as high as #97 nationally, which occurred in 2001, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Mackenzie has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mackenzie is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mackenzie was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mackenzie (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 126 | |
| TX | 119 | |
| NY | 102 | |
| NJ | 85 | |
| FL | 79 | |
| PA | 78 | |
| OH | 65 | |
| MA | 63 | |
| IL | 59 | |
| MD | 57 | |
| GA | 49 | |
| NC | 45 | |
| CT | 45 | |
| VA | 44 | |
| MO | 39 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mackenzie.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,520 |
| 2023 | 1,742 |
| 2022 | 2,035 |
| 2021 | 2,275 |
| 2020 | 2,296 |
| 2019 | 2,591 |
| 2018 | 2,827 |
| 2017 | 2,960 |
| 2016 | 3,410 |
| 2015 | 3,868 |
| 2014 | 4,159 |
| 2013 | 4,024 |
| 2012 | 3,763 |
| 2011 | 3,799 |
| 2010 | 3,883 |
| 2009 | 3,902 |
| 2008 | 4,474 |
| 2007 | 4,628 |
| 2006 | 5,205 |
| 2005 | 5,199 |
| 2004 | 5,728 |
| 2003 | 5,865 |
| 2002 | 6,268 |
| 2001 | 6,934 |
| 2000 | 6,349 |
| 1999 | 5,426 |
| 1998 | 4,890 |
| 1997 | 4,491 |
| 1996 | 4,597 |
| 1995 | 3,963 |
| 1994 | 3,196 |
| 1993 | 2,897 |
| 1992 | 2,673 |
| 1991 | 1,495 |
| 1990 | 1,150 |
| 1989 | 855 |
| 1988 | 775 |
| 1987 | 711 |
| 1986 | 491 |
| 1985 | 433 |
| 1984 | 337 |
| 1983 | 271 |
| 1982 | 254 |
| 1981 | 240 |
| 1980 | 232 |
| 1979 | 179 |
| 1978 | 229 |
| 1977 | 238 |
| 1976 | 165 |
| 1975 | 14 |
| 1974 | 6 |
| 1973 | 6 |