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Mckenna

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-KEN-ah /məˈkɛn.ə/High

Meaning: Anglicization of Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mac Cionaodha meaning son of Cionaodh; the name Cionaodh means fire-born or born of fireHigh

In 30 seconds: McKenna is a spirited Irish-Scottish surname meaning 'fire-born,' now flourishing as a girls' first name — energetic, modern, and carrying genuine Celtic heritage.
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Origin HighIrish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic
MeaningAnglicization of Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mac Cionaodha meaning son of Cionaodh; the name Cionaodh means fire-born or born of fire
U.S. rank (2025)#410 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births758 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2002
Total births (all-time)≈ 44,303

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200219722025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

McKenna derives from Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mac Cionaodha, meaning son of Cionaodh. The personal name Cionaodh combines cion (fire) and Aodh (the Celtic fire god), meaning fire-born.

As a given name McKenna has been popular in the United States since the 1990s, used primarily for girls. It follows the trend of Mac- surnames being repurposed as given names.

Did you know? McKenna, MacKenna, and McKennah are part of the broad Mac- prefix family that forms over 1,500 Irish and Scottish surnames — all meaning 'son of' — making this a name with enormous historical roots.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — McKenna — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MacKennaMckennahMakenna

Nicknames

MacKennaKenni

Famous Bearers

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If you like Mckenna…

Mackenzie— shares the Mac- prefix, Scottish Gaelic origin, and similar modern girl-name popularity
Kennedy— fellow Irish-Scottish Gaelic surname now widely used as a girls' given name
Delaney— shares the Irish heritage and the trendy three-syllable surname-name feel
Kenna— the natural short form that also stands as a given name in its own right

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mckenna mean?

Mckenna means son of Cionaodh, meaning fire-born, from Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mac Cionaodha.

How do you pronounce Mckenna?

It is said mah-KEN-ah /məˈkɛn.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Mckenna an Irish name?

Yes, McKenna is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic surname now used widely as a girls' given name.

What are nicknames for Mckenna?

Common short forms are Kenna, Kenni, and Mac.