Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Mackinley

Mackinley

♀ Girl

Pronounced muh-KIN-lee /məˈkɪn.li/Medium

Meaning: From the Scottish/Irish surname MacKinley (McKinley), 'son of the fair hero' or 'son of Finlay.' Best known as a surname, including U.S. President William McKinley. Used here for a girl though it leans to surname and boys' use.Low

In 30 seconds: A surname-name with a crisp lilt: Mackinley means 'son of the fair hero' (said 'muh-KIN-lee'). More often a boy's or surname pick — we note the lean.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumScottish, Irish
MeaningFrom the Scottish/Irish surname MacKinley (McKinley), 'son of the fair hero' or 'son of Finlay.' Best known as a surname, including U.S. President William McKinley. Used here for a girl though it leans to surname and boys' use.
U.S. rank (2025)#8153 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births13 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 431

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819962025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mackinley comes from the Scottish/Irish surname MacKinley, 'son of the fair hero' (or 'son of Finlay'), famed via President William McKinley. As a girl's name it is a modern surname pick, more often a boy's name, which we note (said 'muh-KIN-lee').

For girls it appears rarely, riding the Mackenzie/McKinley surname-name wave. Rare, surname-style, and crisp.

Did you know? Mackinley began as the Scottish surname MacKinley, 'son of the fair hero,' also the family name of President William McKinley. It reads here as a girl's name, though it leans surname-style and boy-ward, which we note (said 'muh-KIN-lee').
Overall data confidence 52%
References — Mackinley — Scottish surname 'son of the fair hero'; surname/boy-leaning

Variations

McKinleyMakinleyMackinlee

Nicknames

MackKinley

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mackinley…

Mackenzie— a like Scottish Mac- surname name
Kinley— the short form it contains
Makenna— a like modern Mac- girls' name
Makinley— another Irish name
Mckinnley— a fellow Scottish choice

Explore names like Mackinley

By themesurnamecross-sexscottishunisex-lean-boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mackinley mean?

Mackinley is a Scottish surname meaning 'son of the fair hero' (or 'son of Finlay'), now used as a first name.

How do you pronounce Mackinley?

It's said muh-KIN-lee /məˈkɪn.li/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Mackinley a boy or girl name?

Mackinley is used for both, but leans surname-style and more often a boy's name — we note the lean.

How popular is Mackinley?

Mackinley is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia