The name McKenna is a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and modern name for their child. This name has Irish origins and is derived from the Gaelic name Cináed, which means “born of fire.”
McKenna is a unisex name, which means it can be used for both boys and girls. It has been gaining popularity in recent years, and it is currently ranked as the 671st most popular name for girls in 2023. The name has been used in various forms throughout history, and it has been associated with many different meanings and origins.
If you’re considering naming your child McKenna, it’s important to understand the meaning and history behind the name. In this article, we will explore the origins and significance of the name McKenna, as well as its popularity and usage in modern times. Whether you’re looking for a unique name for your baby or simply want to learn more about this intriguing name, read on to discover everything you need to know about McKenna.
Origin of McKenna
McKenna is a name of Scottish Gaelic and Irish origin. The name is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Cionaoith, which means “son of Cionaoith”. The name has several variants including Mackenna, Mackenney, MacKenny, and Kennedy.
The McKennas are believed to have originated from Truagh, County Monaghan, Ulster, Ireland, where they were known as “The Lords Of Truagh”. The name is also considered to come from Mac Ginea in North Kerry. The Cionnath, Cionaoith, and Cionaddha forms are considered to be sources of names like Kenny, Kenney, and Kennedy.
The name McKenna has been in use since Old Irish times and is still popular today. It is now considered a gender-neutral name and is used for both boys and girls.
The McKenna family crest features a shield with a red hand in the center, which is a symbol of the province of Ulster. The crest also includes a stag and a cross.
Overall, McKenna is a name with a rich history and cultural significance in both Scottish and Irish communities.
Meaning of McKenna
McKenna is a gender-neutral name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning “son of Cionoith” or “son of Kenneth”. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Mac Cionaoith. The name is now popular as a first name for both boys and girls, but is particularly popular for girls.
The name Kenneth comes from the Gaelic name Cináed, which means “born of fire”. This fiery meaning is sometimes associated with the name McKenna as well. In fact, some sources suggest that McKenna can also mean “fiery love” or “love born of fire”.
Cionaodh is another Gaelic name that is sometimes associated with McKenna. It is a variant of the name Kenneth and means “born of fire” or “fiery love”. In Irish mythology, Cionaodh was a druid who possessed magical powers.
Overall, the name McKenna has a strong and fiery meaning that is associated with love and passion. It is a popular name for both boys and girls and has a rich Gaelic history.
Popularity of Mckenna
Mckenna is a popular name in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In 2023, it is ranked #671 in popularity, according to BabyCenter user data. This is a decrease of 406 from 2022. However, this name has been steadily increasing in popularity over the past few decades.
In the United States, Mckenna is more popular as a girl’s name, peaking at #177 in 2002. It is a trendy choice for parents looking for a unique and modern name. The name is also associated with independent, ambitious, and determined women.
In Canada, Mckenna is a popular name for girls, ranking #55 in popularity in 2021. This name has been steadily increasing in popularity since the 1990s.
In Australia, Mckenna is a trendy name for girls. It is a unique and modern name that is gaining popularity among parents. However, it is not yet a top 100 name in Australia.
Overall, Mckenna is a popular and trendy name for girls in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is associated with independent and determined women, and it is a unique and modern name choice for parents.
Mckenna as a Given Name
Mckenna is a modern given name that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a unisex name, but it is more commonly used for girls. According to The Bump, Mckenna is of Scottish origin and means “ascend, soar, rise; son of Kenneth.”
Mckenna is a gender-neutral name that has become increasingly popular for girls. It is a cool and modern name that has a traditional feel to it. It is a great choice for parents who want a unique name that is not too outlandish.
Mckenna is a first name that is easy to spell and pronounce. It is a great choice for parents who want a name that is easy to remember and won’t cause confusion.
Mckenna is a popular baby name that has been rising in popularity in recent years. It is a name that is often associated with strength and independence.
Overall, Mckenna is a great choice for parents who want a modern, gender-neutral name that is easy to spell and pronounce. It is a cool and unique name that is perfect for girls who want a name that stands out.
Pronunciation and Syllables
The name McKenna is pronounced as “muh-KEN-uh”. It is a two-syllable name with the emphasis on the second syllable.
The name McKenna is relatively easy to pronounce, and it is unlikely that it will be mispronounced as long as the emphasis is placed on the second syllable. It is a popular name in the United States and has been given to girls since the 1990s.
The name McKenna has a pleasant sound and is easy to remember. It is a great choice for parents who are looking for a unique name that is not too difficult to pronounce.
| Name | Pronunciation | Syllables |
|---|---|---|
| McKenna | muh-KEN-uh | 2 |
Overall, the name McKenna is a beautiful and unique name that is easy to pronounce. It has a pleasant sound and is a great choice for parents who are looking for a name that is not too difficult to remember.
Famous People Named Mckenna
The name McKenna has been used by several famous people across different fields. Here are some notable individuals with the name:
- Mckenna Grace: A young American actress who has appeared in several movies and TV shows, including “Gifted,” “I, Tonya,” and “The Haunting of Hill House.”
- Elise McKenna: A fictional character played by Jane Seymour in the 1980 romantic drama film “Somewhere in Time.”
- Bernard McKenna: An American businessman who co-founded the popular fast-food chain, McDonald’s, with his brother Richard.
- Brian McKenna: An American politician who served as the mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1996 to 2004.
- Frank McKenna: A Canadian politician who served as the Premier of New Brunswick from 1987 to 1997.
- John McKenna: An American football coach who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
- Joseph McKenna: An American lawyer and politician who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1898 to 1925.
- Kevin McKenna: A Scottish footballer who played as a defender for several clubs, including Celtic and Aberdeen.
- Mckenna Peterson: An American professional freeskier who has competed in several international competitions.
- Mckenna Dahl: An American Paralympic shooter who has won multiple medals at the Paralympic Games.
These are just a few examples of famous people with the name McKenna. The name has also been used by several fictional characters in movies, TV shows, and books.
Similar Names to Mckenna
If you like the name Mckenna, you might also like these similar names for your baby girl:
- Makenna: Similar to Mckenna, Makenna is a popular name that means “happy one”. It is of Irish origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Kenzie: Kenzie is a cute and trendy name that is a shortened form of Mackenzie. It means “fair one” and is of Scottish origin.
- Mackenzie: Mackenzie is a popular name that means “son of the wise ruler”. It is of Scottish origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Mila: Mila is a beautiful name that means “gracious” or “dear”. It is of Slavic origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Ava: Ava is a classic name that means “life” or “bird”. It is of Latin origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Ella: Ella is a popular name that means “all, completely; fairy maiden”. It is of English origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Reagan: Reagan is a unique and trendy name that means “little king”. It is of Irish origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Teagan: Teagan is a popular name that means “attractive” or “beautiful”. It is of Irish origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Kinsley: Kinsley is a cute and trendy name that means “king’s meadow”. It is of English origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Isabella: Isabella is a classic name that means “God is my oath”. It is of Italian origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Paige: Paige is a cute and trendy name that means “young servant”. It is of English origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Taylor: Taylor is a popular name that means “tailor”. It is of English origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Brooklyn: Brooklyn is a trendy name that means “broken land”. It is of English origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Paisley: Paisley is a unique and trendy name that means “church”. It is of Scottish origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
- Kinley: Kinley is a cute and trendy name that means “fair-haired warrior”. It is of Irish origin and is a great alternative to Mckenna.
If you are looking for a name similar to Mckenna, these names are a great place to start. They are unique, trendy, and have great meanings.
Mckenna in Pop Culture
Mckenna has made appearances in various forms of pop culture over the years. Here are a few examples:
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American Girl: In 2012, American Girl released a doll named McKenna Brooks as their Girl of the Year. McKenna was a gymnast who overcame a learning disability with the help of her friends and family. The doll and accompanying book series were popular among young girls.
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Personality: Several notable personalities bear the name McKenna. Alex McKenna is an American actress known for her roles in TV shows like “What About Brian” and “Twin Peaks.” McKenna Grace is another young actress who has starred in movies like “Gifted” and “Captain Marvel.”
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Seven: The name McKenna has also been used in the entertainment industry as a title or character name. In the movie “Se7en,” Brad Pitt’s character was named Detective David Mills, but his wife’s name was Tracy McKenna. In the TV show “The 100,” McKenna Grace played a recurring character named Madi, who was a young Nightblood and the last surviving member of her clan.
Overall, Mckenna has made its mark in pop culture through various mediums and has been associated with characters and personalities that represent strength, perseverance, and resilience.