UK name, mostly girls
Mckenna
A modernized feminine form of an Irish surname, possibly derived from "Ó Monacháin" meaning "descendent of a monk".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Mckenna is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Mckenna popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 12 births.
This profile covers 158 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 1999 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 168 living people in the UK are called Mckenna. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Mckenna ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 12 girls were registered as Mckenna.
- • Mckenna ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #560 in 2019.
- • About 168 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mckenna as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 90.8% of Mckenna registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4709
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2012
12 births
Estimated living
168
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Mckenna
In England and Wales birth records, Mckenna has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 9.2% of registrations are for boys and 90.8% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Mckenna registered for boys
- Ranked #3,227 in 2009
- 5 boys registered in 2009
- Peak: 2006 (5 births)
Mckenna registered for girls
- Ranked #4,709 in 2023
- 4 girls registered in 2023
- Peak: 2012 (12 births)
Meaning
What does Mckenna mean?
The given name Mckenna has its roots in Irish and Scottish Gaelic culture. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "cendaigh" or "cennetig," meaning "handsome" or "born of fire." The name is believed to have originated in the late 16th or early 17th century.
Mckenna was initially found in Ireland and Scotland, particularly in regions with strong Gaelic heritage. Variations of the spelling include McKenna, McKenney, and McKinney. The name was often given to sons born with striking features or a fiery personality.
While there are no known direct references to the name Mckenna in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is rooted in the rich Gaelic tradition and reflects the culture's emphasis on physical attributes and characteristics.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mckenna is found in the 17th century Irish genealogical records. A notable individual from this time was Mckenna, the son of Eoghan Ó Maonaigh, a prominent chieftain in County Fermanagh, Ireland.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mckenna. One such person was Joseph Mckenna (1843-1926), an American lawyer and politician who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1898 to 1925.
Another notable Mckenna was Siobhan Mckenna (1923-1986), an Irish actress renowned for her performances on stage and screen. She was born in Belfast and had a successful career spanning over four decades, appearing in productions such as "Playboy of the Western World" and "Beckett."
In the field of sports, Mckenna Ryan (born 1983) is a former American professional soccer player who competed as a forward for various teams, including the Boston Breakers and Sky Blue FC in the National Women's Soccer League.
Mckenna Grace (born 2006) is a young American actress known for her roles in films such as "Gifted," "Captain Marvel," and "Troop Zero." Despite her young age, she has garnered critical acclaim for her performances.
Mckenna Haley (born 1986) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. She has released several albums and is known for her unique blend of indie-folk and alternative rock styles.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the given name Mckenna, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and enduring popularity.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Mckenna over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Mckenna in England and Wales, from 1999 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Mckenna, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mckenna by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mckenna was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3709 | 24 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3357 | 68 | 9 |
| 2000s | #2825 | 62 | 9 |
| 1990s | #3225 | 4 | 1 |
Geography
Where Mckenna is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Mckenna. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Mckenna ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #560 in 2019.
Across the UK
Mckenna in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#560 in 2019
3 years of NRS records, 11 total registered
Related
Names similar to Mckenna
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Mckenna: questions and answers
How popular is the name Mckenna in the UK right now?
In 2023, Mckenna was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Mckenna most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 12 babies registered as Mckenna in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Mckenna?
A modernized feminine form of an Irish surname, possibly derived from "Ó Monacháin" meaning "descendent of a monk".
How many people are called Mckenna in the UK?
A total of 158 babies have been registered as Mckenna across the 23 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 11 more in Scotland.
Where is Mckenna most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Mckenna ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #560 in 2019. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.