Declining since 2001, #576 for girls today.
Popularity of Mckenzie since 1975
Babies named Mckenzie per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 333 |
| 1980s | 2,042 |
| 1990s | 15,286 |
| 2000s | 22,569 |
| 2010s | 19,688 |
| 2020s | 4,861 |
Meaning & origin
The spelling Mckenzie, a variant of the more common Mackenzie, first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1975. It reached its highest use in 2000, when it ranked 576th in 2025, with approximately 1 in 3,109 girls given the name. Since 2001 its popularity has been steadily falling. It has been most common in Southern states, particularly Mississippi, South Carolina, and Idaho. As a Scottish patronymic surname derived from 'son of Coinneach' (Kenneth), it carries the meaning of 'fair, bright'. The name's rise reflects the broader trend of using Scottish surnames as first names for girls, a fashion that peaked in the 1990s and 2000s. Despite its decline, Mckenzie remains a familiar choice with the friendly nickname Kenzie.
Mckenzie is a variant spelling of the Scottish surname Mackenzie, which originated as a patronymic meaning 'son of Coinneach'. The Gaelic personal name Coinneach, anglicized as Kenneth, is traditionally understood to mean 'fair, bright' or 'born of fire'. The Mackenzie clan has a long history in the Scottish Highlands. As a given name, it gained popularity in the United States starting in the 1970s, often used for girls, particularly in the variant spelling Mckenzie.
Where Mckenzie 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: Kenzie, Mack, Kenz
Sibling names for Mckenzie
Names that share Mckenzie's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Mckenzie
Names whose popularity has moved with Mckenzie's over the last 50 years.
