Find out how popular the first name Mckinley has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mckinley by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Mckinley is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 79% of people named Mckinley being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 458 female babies and 45 male babies born with the name Mckinley.

The history of the first name Mckinley

The name Mckinley is a Scottish surname that originated in the Gaelic language. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "fionn" meaning "fair" or "white." The name McKinley, therefore, translates to "son of the fair or white one."

The name Mckinley gained popularity as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely due to the prominence of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States (1897-1901). William McKinley was born in 1843 and assassinated in 1901.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the given name Mckinley was Mckinley Naring, an American artist and painter born in 1904. He was known for his landscape paintings and murals depicting scenes of the American West.

Another notable figure with the name Mckinley was Mckinley Millet, an American writer and activist born in 1918. He was involved in the civil rights movement and wrote several books exploring themes of race, identity, and social justice.

In the world of sports, Mckinley "Deacon" Jones (1938-2013) was a renowned American football player who played as a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Mckinley "Deacon" Moore (1913-1999) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He played with various jazz groups and led his own ensemble, the Deacon Moore Orchestra, which performed in New York City during the 1940s and 1950s.

Mckinley Morganfield, better known by his stage name Muddy Waters (1913-1983), was a legendary American blues singer and musician. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of modern blues music and has had a lasting impact on various genres of popular music.

While the name Mckinley is not commonly used as a given name today, it holds historical significance and has been associated with notable individuals across various fields, reflecting its Scottish origins and the influence of prominent figures who bore this name.

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

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

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