Kenzie for a boy?

[marymom]

We are thinking about Kenzie for a boy. My only concern is that according to nameberry it is "too girlish for the US". Thoughts?

What are some possible nicknames for Kenzie other than the obvious Ken?

Which of the following middle names works best? (They are all family names.)
Kenzie Angelo
Kenzie Randolph
Kenzie Robert
Kenzie Leo
Kenzie Paul
Kenzie Patrick (after a Patricia)
Kenzie Christopher
Kenzie Eli/Elliot/Elias (after an Elizabeth)
Kenzie Linden/Lyndon (after a Linda)
Kenzie John/Jonah (after a Jean)
Kenzie Mark/Martin (after a Mary)

Thanks for your help!

[ashthedreamer]

What about Mackenzie? Much as I am a huge fan of unisex names on boys and would love to see Kenzie work on a boy, I think it's way too far gone on the girls at this point. But I think Mackenzie is more redeemable--with Mac, Mick, Ken, or the full Mackenzie, or even shortened to Kenzie. I really like Kenzie Leo, Kenzie Elliot, and Kenzie Patrick (I love Mackenzie Leo, Mackenzie Elliot, and Mackenzie Patrick, too!).

Good luck!

ETA: Just figured I should add the reason I suggested Mackenzie... I know a lot see it as a girls' name, but I have never met a girl named Mackenzie, just boys (and I've met at least three boys with the name! All various ages...) so it still seems quite usable on a boy to me. As far as I know, none of them were ever teased about it. While it is much more used on girls, it still seems very usable for boys to me. I guess I could be alone in that, though!

[greyer]

Sorry, it's way too far on the girls' side now in the US than it is for the boys. I get the feeling he would always be mistaken for a girl and be teased for having a girls name. Even Mackenzie would have the same problem, tbh. What about something like Kenyon, Kenley, or Kentley?

[whit32]

It doesn't sound too bad to me, but my brother's name is Kenny, so I'm used to the sound on a boy. My first thought was girl, but I think it could work for a boy. Of course, I really like Kelly on a boy too, and I'm sure most people would disagree with me on that, so I might not be the best person to ask.

[jersey_gray]

It doesn't sound too bad to me, but my brother's name is Kenny, so I'm used to the sound on a boy. My first thought was girl, but I think it could work for a boy. Of course, I really like Kelly on a boy too, and I'm sure most people would disagree with me on that, so I might not be the best person to ask.

I love Kelly for a boy. I'll never understand how that one became a girls name in the US. It's so clearly masculine.

I think Kenzie is fine for a boy. The only Mackenzie's I know are girls (there's only two of them).

[dillonsfan01]

Sorry but no it will never work. I know 3 girls named Kenzie and 17 girls name McKenzie (or other spelling variation) several of which go solely by Kenzie. I am usually a fan of getting boys names back to boys but not this one! I actually love McKenzie and Kenzie on girls. I think it is so feminine and adorable. I think this one has way bypassed the unisex level and is now a full blown girls name.

[random]

I would go for Kenzo nn Kenzie. If I look at statistics then Kenzo is the most popular 'kenz' name (97 in 2010) for boys and there were no girls called Kenzo!

Statistics:
Kenzie. boy: 8 girl: 847
Mackenzie: boy: 35 girl: 3844
Mckenzie: boy: 25 girls: 2104
Makenzie: boy: 5 girl: 1980
Kenzo: boy: 97 girl: 0

Also, in 2009 there were 31 Kenzo's, the year before that 25. So, it is becoming a bit more familiar, but not too popular.
There were already little Kenzie's and Kenzo's in 1918/1920. The name Enzo is gaining popularity fast, and a little Kenzo would fit right in!

[nat108]

Kenzie as a proper name sounds so childish, male or female. Keep it as a nickname

As a nn I like Kenzie for a boy Mackenzie (I hate the name on girls)

[agirlinred]

If we want to see these unisex names tip back toward the boys' side, SOMEONE has to start by naming their son Mackenzie/Kenzie. Discouraging parents from giving their sons "girl names" and then saying how much you'd like to see the name go back to the boys is not how change will occur.

If you love Kenzie, I say go for it. So what if he is mistaken for a girl? That will only happen on paper, and the people who see him and know him will know he is a boy. Having a "girly" name has not affected Morgan Freeman, Tracy Morgan, or Kelsey Grammer.

[amberdaydream]

If we want to see these unisex names tip back toward the boys' side, SOMEONE has to start by naming their son Mackenzie/Kenzie. Discouraging parents from giving their sons "girl names" and then saying how much you'd like to see the name go back to the boys is not how change will occur.

If you love Kenzie, I say go for it. So what if he is mistaken for a girl? That will only happen on paper, and the people who see him and know him will know he is a boy. Having a "girly" name has not affected Morgan Freeman, Tracy Morgan, or Kelsey Grammer.

^ Every sentence of this, exactly. If you love Kenzie, go for it.