Mackenzie

Originally inspired as by eighties TV actress Mackenzie Phillips, parents since have flocked to Mackenzie for their daughters. Now a staple All-American choice, Mackenzie has ranked in the US Top 1000 for nearly 50 years.

Mackenzie originates from the Scottish surname which itself an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich. Coinnich is one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth meaning "handsome, beautiful, comely".

As a given name, Mackenzie was once rare in the US, first appearing in the stats in 1973 — the year Mackenzie Phillips began her acting career — when it was given to just six girls. Three years later, it was nearly 30 times more popular and in the Top 1000.

Notable bearers of the name include singer and dancer Mackenzie Ziegler, Australian soccer player Mackenzie "Macca" Arnold, actress Mackenzie Davis, martial artist Mackenzie Dern, and actress Mackenzie Foy.

Currently in the Top 100 in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, it has seen a decline in the US since it peaked in 2001, when it reached #40. It is still given to around 1740 girls each year however — and, when you consider it with Mckenzie, Makenzie, and just Kenzie, you're looking at 3500 girls with sound-alike names. This could make it feel like a Top 100 name, ranking similarly to Natalie, Josephine, Sophie and Leilani.

Alternatives ideas based on Mackenzie could be Kensington, Mckinley, Kenina, Murphy, Marlowe, Zaylee, Keeva, or Maxie.

Pronounced muh-KEN-zee.

As of October 2026, Mackenzie ranked #228 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #40 in 2001, Nameberry popularity #480.