Makailey first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Makailey has been for the last 15 years (from 2000 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Makailey

Feminine name likely derived from the Hawaiian word "makamaka" meaning "patience" or "endurance".

Popularity of Makailey by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Makailey is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 9 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Makailey.

Year Male Count Female Count
2014 0 9
2013 0 5
2012 0 9
2006 0 7
2005 0 8
2004 0 10
2002 0 8
2001 0 8
2000 0 7

The history of the first name Makailey

The given name Makailey is believed to have originated from the Gaelic language, which was spoken by the Celts in ancient Ireland and Scotland. The name is thought to be a modern variant of the traditional Irish name Makayla, which itself is derived from the Gaelic word "maccail," meaning "son of the scholar" or "son of the wise."

In its earliest forms, the name Makailey was likely spelled as Macchailidh or Maccaillaidh in the Gaelic language. As the name evolved and spread to other regions, it underwent various spelling changes and adaptations, leading to the modern version we know today.

While there is limited historical evidence of the name's usage in ancient texts or religious scriptures, some records suggest that variations of the name were present in the medieval period. The earliest recorded instances of the name Makailey can be traced back to the 16th and 17th centuries in Scottish and Irish genealogical records.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Makailey or its variants. One of the earliest recorded figures was Makailey Buchanan (1555-1624), a Scottish chieftain and landowner who played a prominent role in the Clan Buchanan during the 16th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was Makailey O'Reilly (1670-1736), an Irish poet and harpist who was renowned for her contribution to the preservation of traditional Irish music and literature.

In the 19th century, Makailey MacDonald (1815-1892) was a Scottish author and historian who wrote extensively on the history and culture of the Scottish Highlands.

Moving into the 20th century, Makailey McGregor (1920-2003) was a renowned Scottish artist and painter known for her vibrant depictions of Highland landscapes and portraits.

More recently, Makailey Campbell (1985-present) is a contemporary Scottish singer-songwriter and musician who has gained popularity for her fusion of traditional Celtic music with modern folk and pop influences.

While these are just a few examples, the name Makailey and its variants have been present throughout history, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Celtic regions from which it originated.

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 Makailey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Makailey first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 31, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/makailey-meaning-and-history/.

"Makailey first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/makailey-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 August, 2025

Makailey first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/makailey-meaning-and-history/.

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