Declining since 2001, #410 for girls today.
Popularity of Mckenna since 1972
Babies named Mckenna per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 29 |
| 1980s | 519 |
| 1990s | 8,416 |
| 2000s | 16,351 |
| 2010s | 13,221 |
| 2020s | 5,772 |
Meaning & origin
Mckenna entered U.S. birth records in 1972 as a surname turned given name. It rose quickly during the 1990s and 2000s, reaching its peak in 2002 at rank 233. Since 2001, however, its trajectory has been steadily falling, dropping to rank 410 by 2025. Despite the decline, it remains a recognizable choice, particularly in New Hampshire, Delaware, and South Dakota. The name's Irish heritage and soft-yet-strong sound have kept it in use among parents seeking a unisex option that now leans heavily feminine. At a current rate of 1 in 2,120 births, it is uncommon but not obscure.
Mckenna originated as an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Cionaoith, meaning 'son of Cionnaith.' The personal name Cionnaith likely derives from Old Irish elements implying 'born of fire' or perhaps 'wolf lord.' Historically a masculine surname, it transitioned in the late 20th century to a given name predominantly for girls in the United States, part of the trend for surname-derived first names.
Where Mckenna is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kenna, Mack, Micki
Sibling names for Mckenna
Names that share Mckenna's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Mckenna
Names whose popularity has moved with Mckenna's over the last 50 years.
