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Mackenna as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Mackenna

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The baby name Mackenna is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /məˈkɛnə/ (muh-KEN-uh).

Mackenna is Gaelic in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 3.0
Origin: Gaelic
Pronunciation: /məˈkɛnə/ (muh-KEN-uh)

What is the meaning of the name Mackenna ?

The baby name Mackenna is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /məˈkɛnə/ (muh-KEN-uh).

Mackenna is Gaelic in Origin.

Mackenna is a modern given name drawn from the Irish surname McKenna/MacKenna, an Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Cionaoith (also Mac Cionaodha), meaning “son/descendant of Cionaodh.” The personal name Cionaodh fuses cion (“affection, regard”) with Aodh, the ancient Celtic fire deity, so the surname is often glossed as “descendant of the fiery one” or “born of fire.” The McKenna clan was prominent in Ulster, particularly County Monaghan, and the surname appears in medieval Irish records.

As a first name, Mackenna gained traction in the late 20th century in North America amid the trend of surnames repurposed for girls and boys, though contemporary usage skews feminine. Common variants and spellings include McKenna, Mckenna, Makenna, Makena, and MacKenna; short forms include Kenna and Mac. Related Gaelic forms include Cionaodh (given name) and the patronymic Mac Cionaoith. Meaning-based interpretations center on fire, ardor, and warmth.

Mackenna has the following similar or variant Names

Mackenna – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
CR 0 #165 1 5,526
Canada Girls 2024 #276 10 2,795
MX 0 #445 1 8,339
CR Girls 0 #573 1 11,342
United States Girls 2024 #862 55 8,487
CL Girls 0 #914 2 14,098
NG Boys 0 #1,000 2 16,906
PE Girls 0 #1,010 1 14,861
MY Girls 0 #1,071 2 24,821
MY Boys 0 #1,182 1 25,439
DZ 0 #1,234 1 20,130

Mackenna is popular in 9 countries — most recent births per country:

Canada
United States
Scotland, United Kingdom
CL
CR

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People also ask about Mackenna

Mackenna is predominantly a girl's name.
Mackenna is a 3 syllable name, pronounced /məˈkɛnə/ (muh-KEN-uh).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Makenna, McKenna, Mckenna, Mackenne, Mackenah and Makena.
Yes — Mackenna ranked #276 in Canada in 2024, and appears in official birth registries across 3 countries.
Mackenna ranks highest in Canada (#276 in 2024).
Mackenna's popularity is rising. It moved from #283 in 2014 to #276 in 2024 in Canada.