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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Mackenzie

85 replies

Chefch · 27/05/2026 16:31

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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FoxHedgehogBadger · 27/05/2026 17:32

I do like the name for either boy or girl.

I know one girl Mackenzie who goes by Kenzie for short.

For a boy, with a dad named Kenneth, surely you want to use Kenny short for Mackenzie instead of Mac? I always thought Kenny is so cute for a boy!

user9764325677 · 27/05/2026 17:32

Very chavvy. Sorry

Hoork · 27/05/2026 17:32

It reminds me of the girl from Dance Moms but that’s not a bad thing and I think the name is really cute. It used to be very popular but I think it’s a lot less now so could be nice for DC! I prefer it on a girl but Mack could be a good nn for a boy.

Monty36 · 27/05/2026 17:35

I had no idea. I stand corrected ! I was replying in terms of today.

I would go with your own view for names.

Delphiniumandlupins · 27/05/2026 17:38

I like Mackenzie Crook.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 27/05/2026 17:39

anonymous2134565 · 27/05/2026 16:46

Yes have agree it’s a awful name and a very chavvy names from the 90s

I agree it absolutely wouldn’t be my choice but it’s your child Id you like it go for it.

RedSapphire1 · 27/05/2026 17:41

It reminds me of the girl from Dance Moms, the two women on Teen Mom, and now Mackenzie Shirilla after that Netflix documentary.

Strokethefurrywall · 27/05/2026 17:43

Cracking name for either sex. I know a boy Mac and girl Kenzi, both full name is Mackenzie.

HortiGal · 27/05/2026 17:44

I think it’s had its day, very popular in the 90s.
MacKenzie isn’t linked to Kenneth at all.
Why not Kenny for a boy?

Enko · 27/05/2026 17:45

I dont care for it. I am not a fan of unisex names

MyEasterBonnet · 27/05/2026 17:53

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

BurntOrangeAutumn · 27/05/2026 18:16

TinyMouseTheatre · 27/05/2026 17:10

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

Yes! They're all aged between 14 - 19

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 18:18

CieloElmers · 27/05/2026 17:25

I like Mackenzie, also could consider Mckenna for a girl

I like McKenna!

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.

Berlinlover · 27/05/2026 19:09

It’s very chavy where I come from unfortunately.

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).

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.

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!

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.

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!

Firebird83 · 27/05/2026 21:35

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

Giraffehaver · 27/05/2026 22:48

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

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.

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

EnidVance · 27/05/2026 23:57

I think it’s chavvy.

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.

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.

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