Find out how popular the first name Mackinley has been for the last 32 years (from 1992 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mackinley by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Mackinley is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 54% of people named Mackinley being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 23 female babies and 9 male babies born with the name Mackinley.

The history of the first name Mackinley

Mackinley is a given name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "fionnlagh" meaning "fair-haired stranger" or "blonde warrior." The name likely originated in the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century, when Gaelic names were commonly used in Scotland.

The name Mackinley is closely linked to the Scottish clan of Mackinnon, which traces its roots back to the islands of Mull and Skye in the Hebrides. The Mackinnon clan was known for its fierce warriors and seafaring traditions, and the name Mackinley may have been used to denote a fair-haired or blonde member of the clan.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mackinley can be found in the 16th century, when a man named Mackinley of Strathardle is mentioned in the Scottish historical records. However, the name remained relatively uncommon until the 19th century, when it began to gain popularity as a given name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mackinley. One of the most prominent was William McKinley (1843-1901), the 25th President of the United States, whose surname is derived from the same Scottish roots as the given name Mackinley. Another notable figure was Sir Alexander Mackinnon (1865-1942), a Scottish politician and diplomat who served as the Governor of the Straits Settlements (now part of Malaysia) from 1904 to 1910.

In the world of literature, Mackinley Kantor (1904-1977) was an American novelist and screenwriter who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1956 for his novel "Andersonville." In the realm of science, Mackinley Helm (1896-1963) was an American chemist who made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry and the development of synthetic rubber during World War II.

Additionally, Mackinley Browne (1868-1941) was a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as the Attorney General of British Columbia from 1926 to 1928, while Mackinley Helmick (1888-1973) was an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Helmick Corporation, a successful construction company in West Virginia.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mackinley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mackinley, please contact us.

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