Mackenzie | Mumsnet

Chefch · 2026-05-27T15:31:22+00:00

Thoughts on Mackenzie for either gender? DH's name is Kenneth, so it has some meaning for us. We would do Mack as a NN for a boy and just the full name for a girl (unless a NN naturally developed).

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snowie75 · 30/05/2026 20:07

Kennedy

StationJack · 30/05/2026 14:40

I quite like Kendall and I know a great Kendra but I don't think I'd like it otherwise. Kenneth/Kenny is nice for a boy.

user1492757084 · 30/05/2026 13:37

No, not for a girl.

Kendell

Mackenzie for a boy.

StationJack · 30/05/2026 11:10

@Hippout , I didn't check the pp. I'd think 'named by a teen mum' about it.

Nothing against teen mums, it's just that they might pick a name that they wouldn't if they were older. My mum was a teen mum and we were adults by the time she was 40, which is pretty awesome really. She did lots of things when her friends were having babies - retrained, got a career etc.

Hippout · 30/05/2026 10:50

StationJack · 30/05/2026 10:45

There is no such thing as a posh name either @Hippout .

I think that the pp probably meant it was a name a teenage mother would name her child not the name of the mother. The names I liked as a teenager were quite different tote ones I picked when the time came. The ONS site shows the name popularity by age of mother and there is quite a difference.

For the daughters born to mothers under 25, the top name in 2024 was Delilah but for mothers aged 35+ it's at #108.

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BrownRedPink · 27/05/2026 17:11
I'll be honest. It makes me think of a girl who would become a teen mum.

She is talking about the girl who becomes a teen mum not her children

StationJack · 30/05/2026 10:45

Hippout · 30/05/2026 10:14

Well I was a 16 year old mum and my name is Charlotte. Which is apparently “posh” hate to burst your bubble but there’s no such thing as a teen mum name

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There is no such thing as a posh name either @Hippout .

I think that the pp probably meant it was a name a teenage mother would name her child not the name of the mother. The names I liked as a teenager were quite different tote ones I picked when the time came. The ONS site shows the name popularity by age of mother and there is quite a difference.

For the daughters born to mothers under 25, the top name in 2024 was Delilah but for mothers aged 35+ it's at #108.

Hippout · 30/05/2026 10:14

BrownRedPink · 27/05/2026 17:11

I'll be honest. It makes me think of a girl who would become a teen mum. I can't picture it on a boy but do really like Mack.

Well I was a 16 year old mum and my name is Charlotte. Which is apparently “posh” hate to burst your bubble but there’s no such thing as a teen mum name

Hippout · 30/05/2026 10:11

The bully from “dork diaries”

StationJack · 28/05/2026 13:44

It's not being nasty, @MyCottageGarden . The name is dreadful.

Historically it was a Scottish first name then centuries later, it became a surname. It was a surname first.

Daffodilsinthespring · 28/05/2026 12:34

Ok for an American girl.

MiddleAgedDread · 28/05/2026 11:44

It's awful as a first name, very "teen mom" vibes as someone mentioned. It's very popular surname in Scotland and everyone with it spends half their life saying "it's MacKenzie M-A-C-K" (or M-C-K) so be prepared for a lifetime of wrong spellings.

Aquamarineteal · 28/05/2026 09:55

My niece is Mackenzie (Kenzi). I wouldn't have been my choice when she was born, but I love the name now.

EnidVance · 27/05/2026 23:57

I think it’s chavvy.

BurntOrangeAutumn · 27/05/2026 22:55

Moveoverdarlin · 27/05/2026 19:03

Yes there was. I think it was the cheapo brand that they sold in JD sports during the early noughties. Awful awful clothes.

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JD still sell mackenzie! I bought my daughter a shorts set of that brand only last summer! Its still cheap too!

Giraffehaver · 27/05/2026 22:48

I wouldn't choose it personally but it's not objectionable

Firebird83 · 27/05/2026 21:35

What about Kenna, Kensa or Kendra for a girl instead?

Calliopespa · 27/05/2026 20:27

MyCottageGarden · 27/05/2026 17:16

Sorry but it wasn’t originally! Historically it was a Scottish first name then centuries later, it became a surname.

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That is interesting.

I am not a fan of surnames as names BUT I do quite like this for a boy. I am not a great fan of Maximilian or Maximus so I think as a full name for a Max or Mack it is probably my preference. It has a good, strong sound and a Scottish vibe which I like in a man's name.

I am surprised how many people are suggesting it is a girls' name: it would never have occurred to me to use it as such. But obviously, what do I know!

LizardyGuts · 27/05/2026 20:02

MyCottageGarden · 27/05/2026 17:16

Sorry but it wasn’t originally! Historically it was a Scottish first name then centuries later, it became a surname.

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Eh what?!

It's a patronimic surname. From Gaelic MacCoinnich, son of Coinneach. Coinneach is Anglicised as Kenneth. MacKenzie = son of Kenneth.
From that point of view it's inappropriate as a girl's name. A female would be NicCoinnich, daughter of Kenneth (but this doesn't carry through once it's Anglicised obviously).

If you have a genuine source which backs up your statement that Sc. Gael. patronimics were originally first names, as opposed to clan names, I'd be very interested to see it!

BoleynMemories13 · 27/05/2026 19:54

I'm not a fan for either sex, but I definitely see it as a boy's name. Mackenzie for a girl is a dreadful American trend (same as Riley, Logan, Dylan etc for girls).

Berlinlover · 27/05/2026 19:09

It’s very chavy where I come from unfortunately.

Moveoverdarlin · 27/05/2026 19:03

jsgahoencake · 27/05/2026 17:20

Mackenzie is very c2000 Chav, I’m surprised it’s had a fairly balanced response though! Wasn’t there a cheap sports brand with that name in the 00s? Maybe that’s why my head goes to Chav (I’m sorry I know it’s not a nice word but it’s genuinely the first word that comes to mind).

Yes there was. I think it was the cheapo brand that they sold in JD sports during the early noughties. Awful awful clothes.

BurntOrangeAutumn · 27/05/2026 18:18

CieloElmers · 27/05/2026 17:25

I like Mackenzie, also could consider Mckenna for a girl

I like McKenna!

catmothertes1 · 27/05/2026 18:18

As a retired secondary school teacher,I would expect trouble from a boy or a girl called Mackenzie. In a middle class school,it would be the type of kid who is a cheeky spoiled know it all. The girl would very likely be a "mean girl".

BurntOrangeAutumn · 27/05/2026 18:16

TinyMouseTheatre · 27/05/2026 17:10

Very similar where we live too. It was popular in the 2000s.

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Yes! They're all aged between 14 - 19

MyEasterBonnet · 27/05/2026 17:53

As a name, I quite like it. As a teacher, I see it as a bit rough/chavvy.