Mckenna Girl

Popularity: #377 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: muh-KEN-uh /məˈkɛnə/

Origin: Irish; Scottish

Meaning: Irish: 'son of the handsome one'; Scottish: 'descendant of the warrior'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Mckenna has its roots in the Irish surname "Mac Cionaoith," which translates to "son of Cionaoith." The name Cionaoith itself is derived from the Gaelic elements "cion," meaning "affection" or "love," and "aoith," which can be interpreted as "ancient" or "noble." Over time, the surname evolved, and the prefix "Mac" denoting "son of" was adapted into various forms, leading to the modern usage of Mckenna as a given name, particularly for girls, in English-speaking contexts. The transition from a surname to a first name reflects a broader trend in naming practices where surnames are repurposed as first names, especially in the 20th century.

Historically, the name Mckenna is associated with the Gaelic culture of Ireland, where surnames often indicated lineage and familial connections. The Mac Cionaoith clan was prominent in regions of Ireland, particularly in Ulster, and its members were known for their contributions to local governance and society.

The name's historical significance is further underscored by its presence in various Irish records and genealogies, which document the lineage and heritage of families throughout the centuries. The name's adoption into English-speaking cultures likely gained momentum during the 19th and 20th centuries, coinciding with increased Irish immigration and the subsequent blending of cultural identities.

Culturally, Mckenna embodies themes of affection and nobility, resonating with the values of love and familial bonds that are deeply rooted in Irish tradition. The name has also been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, contributing to its enduring appeal.

While diminutive forms such as "Kenna" may be used informally, Mckenna stands as a distinct name that reflects both its historical lineage and cultural significance, symbolizing a connection to heritage and identity.

Famous people named Mckenna

In this section, you will find notable people named Mckenna. 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 Mckenna who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Mckenna 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.

Mckenna Grace is an actress best known for Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Bad Seed, and The Handmaid's Tale.

Mckenna Kelly is a professional golfer best known for competing in various LPGA events.

Fictional characters named Mckenna

The following list of fictional characters named Mckenna 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.

Mckenna is a fictional character from the book series The Mckenna Chronicles. She is a young girl with extraordinary abilities who embarks on a journey to discover her true potential.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mckenna, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MackenzieMadisonMayaMilaMorgan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mckenna. 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.

McKinleyMakaylaMikaylaMaliaMiraMinaMeganMacey

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Mckenna was first seen in the United States in 1972.

Mckenna has ranked as high as #385 nationally, which occurred in 2002, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Mckenna has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Mckenna 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 Mckenna was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Mckenna.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 758 0 758
2024 829 0 829
2023 941 0 941
2022 1,085 0 1,085
2021 1,024 0 1,024
2020 1,135 0 1,135
2019 1,153 0 1,153
2018 1,262 0 1,262
2017 1,255 0 1,255
2016 1,254 0 1,254
2015 1,305 0 1,305
2014 1,405 0 1,405
2013 1,471 0 1,471
2012 1,405 0 1,405
2011 1,333 0 1,333
2010 1,378 0 1,378
2009 1,505 0 1,505
2008 1,522 0 1,522
2007 1,554 0 1,554
2006 1,577 7 1,570
2005 1,662 5 1,657
2004 1,669 13 1,656
2003 1,695 0 1,695
2002 1,804 9 1,795
2001 1,699 6 1,693
2000 1,711 7 1,704
1999 1,583 12 1,571
1998 1,451 12 1,439
1997 1,342 12 1,330
1996 1,250 20 1,230
1995 1,109 43 1,066
1994 689 27 662
1993 381 5 376
1992 390 0 390
1991 214 5 209
1990 143 0 143
1989 91 0 91
1988 95 0 95
1987 53 0 53
1986 64 0 64
1985 76 0 76
1984 37 0 37
1983 32 0 32
1982 48 0 48
1981 23 0 23
1979 8 0 8
1977 5 0 5
1976 6 0 6
1973 5 0 5
1972 5 0 5

Top States for Mckenna (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 51
6%
NY 47
6%
OH 44
6%
CA 43
5%
NC 40
5%
PA 38
5%
MI 35
4%
FL 33
4%
VA 33
4%
IL 30
4%
GA 27
3%
WI 27
3%
MA 26
3%
SC 24
3%
TN 22
3%
MN 22
3%
NJ 21
3%
AZ 19
2%
KY 19
2%
MO 17
2%
CT 15
2%
WA 15
2%
IN 15
2%
AL 14
2%
MD 13
2%
UT 13
2%
CO 13
2%
MS 10
1%
LA 9
1%
IA 9
1%
NH 8
1%
ID 6
1%
ND 5
1%
NM 5
1%
NV 5
1%
ME 5
1%
OK 5
1%
OR 5
1%