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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mackinley

Mackinley

♂ Boy

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

Meaning: From the Scottish surname MacKinlay/McKinley, 'son of Fionnlagh' (mac plus Fionnlagh, 'fair hero; white warrior'). A clan name, worn too by U.S. President William McKinley.Low

In 30 seconds: A Scottish surname name: Mackinley means 'son of the fair hero' (said 'muh-KIN-lee'). Distinguished and historic.
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Origin MediumScottish, Gaelic
MeaningFrom the Scottish surname MacKinlay/McKinley, 'son of Fionnlagh' (mac plus Fionnlagh, 'fair hero; white warrior'). A clan name, worn too by U.S. President William McKinley.
U.S. rank (2024)#10490 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1999
Total births (all-time)≈ 356

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199919922024

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 MacKinlay, 'son of Fionnlagh' ('fair hero; white warrior'). As a first name it reads historic and stately — rare for boys in the U.S. (said 'muh-KIN-lee').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and distinguished.

Did you know? Mackinley is a Scottish surname — 'son of Fionnlagh,' the fair hero or white warrior — carried by President William McKinley and worn today as a distinguished given name (said 'muh-KIN-lee').
Overall data confidence 52%
References — Mackinley — Scottish surname 'son of Fionnlagh'

Variations

McKinleyMackinlayMakinley

Nicknames

MacKin

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mackinley…

Sullivan— a like Gaelic surname name
Brody— a like Scottish surname pick
Callum— a like Scottish name
Mckinley— lands in the same popularity range
Macauley— shares the -ey ending

Explore names like Mackinley

By themesurnamescottishhistoricstately

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mackinley mean?

Mackinley is a Scottish surname, 'son of Fionnlagh' ('fair hero; white warrior').

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 here as a boy's name; it is also used for girls.

How popular is Mackinley?

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

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