Given name & surname
Mackenzie
Mackenzie is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “daughter of a wise leader; a fiery woman; one who is fair” and “the son of a wise leader; a fiery man; one who is fair”. These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “daughter of a wise leader; a fiery woman; one who is fair” and “the son of a wise leader; a fiery man; one who is fair”. These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
Mackenzie comes from Scots, and ultimately from Scottish Gaelic.
Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
How it developed
From Scots MacKenȝie, from Scottish Gaelic MacCoinnich, built from Scottish Gaelic mac (“son, descendant”) + Coinneach (“of Coinneach”).
Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1973. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Mackenzie through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 149,135
- 7,861 boys · 141,274 girls
- Most popular year
- 2001
- 7,105 babies
- 2025
- 1,442
- #228 for girls · #1,671 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −35%
- Easing
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 3% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 1,343 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 228 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 36.7% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 6,934 in 2001. It also appeared in 99 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (122). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 125,027 as a first name in 2020; 13,446 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Mackenzie’s family of names
In English usage, Mackenzie has a short form in Kenzie. In English usage, Mackenzie has a related form in McKenzie. Mackenzie has a related form in McKenzie.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 16
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
People named Mackenzie
- Mackenzie FoyAmerican actressborn 2000
- MacKenzie ScottAmerican philanthropist and novelistborn 1970
- Mackenzie DavisCanadian actress (born 1987)
- Mackenzie Bowell5th Prime Minister of Canada (1823-1917)
- Mackenzie CrookEnglish actor, director, comedian and writer (born 1971)
- Mackenzie ZieglerAmerican singer, dancer, actress and modelborn 2004
- Mackenzie RosmanAmerican actressborn 1989
- Mackenzie McDonaldAmerican tennis player (born 1995)
- Mackenzie LittleAustralian javelin thrower (1996-)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Mackenzie, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Teagan
“one who is attractive; goodlooking” · “a handsome man”
9% boys · 91% girls
Maclaine
“the son of John's servant”
>99% girls
Mackenna
“daughter of the handsome man”
>99% girls
Brianna
“from the high hill; one who ascends”
>99% girls
McKenna
“the son of Kenna; to ascend”
>99% girls
Rhiannon
“the great and sacred queen”
>99% girls
Cassidy
“curly-haired girl” · “a clever man”
7% boys · 93% girls
Niamh
“brightness, beauty” · “a bright man”
>99% girls