Mekenna
A feminine name of unclear origin, possibly a variant of McKenna.
Name Census estimates that about 396 living Americans carry the first name Mekenna. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Mekenna today is around 23 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mekenna births was 1999 (30 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mekenna. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
396
~ 1 in 865,541 Americans
Peak year
1999
30 babies that year
Average age
23
years old
2021 SSA rank
#14,657
Tracked since 1991
Popularity
Mekenna: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mekenna from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 161 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mekenna by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Mekenna during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Mekennas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Mekenna
The name Mekenna has its origins in the Gaelic language, primarily spoken in Ireland and Scotland. It is a feminine given name that emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th to 15th centuries. The name is derived from the combination of two Gaelic words, "mèinn" meaning "vigor" or "spirit," and "cenn" meaning "chief" or "leader."
This name was particularly popular among the Irish and Scottish clans, where it was often bestowed upon daughters born to chieftains or leaders of the clan. It symbolized the hope that the child would grow up to possess a strong, spirited character and potentially take on a leadership role within the community.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mekenna can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. This document mentions a woman named Mekenna, who lived in the 12th century and was known for her charitable works and dedication to the church.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mekenna. One such figure was Mekenna MacAlpin (1022-1085), a Scottish noblewoman and influential advisor to King Malcolm III of Scotland. Her counsel was highly valued, and she played a significant role in shaping the policies of the Scottish kingdom during her time.
Another prominent Mekenna was Mekenna O'Brien (1564-1631), an Irish chieftain and leader of the O'Brien clan in County Clare, Ireland. She was renowned for her bravery and strategic military prowess in defending her clan's territories during the turbulent times of the Tudor conquest of Ireland.
In the 17th century, Mekenna MacLeod (1628-1698) was a Scottish poet and writer from the Isle of Skye. Her works, which often celebrated the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands and the rich cultural traditions of her people, were widely admired and helped preserve the Gaelic language and heritage.
During the 18th century, Mekenna Fitzgerald (1742-1823) was an Irish aristocrat and philanthropist. She dedicated her life and resources to establishing schools and healthcare facilities for the underprivileged in her community, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and commitment to social welfare.
The name Mekenna also found its way into the realm of literature, with Mekenna MacDonald (1876-1952), a Scottish novelist and poet. Her works, which often explored themes of love, loss, and the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, were widely celebrated and earned her a place among the most renowned writers of her time.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Mekenna, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of culture and heritage associated with this name.
People
Mekenna + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mekenna as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Mekenna: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mekenna?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 396 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mekenna going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 865,541 US residents.
Is Mekenna a common name?
We classify Mekenna as "Very Rare". It ranks above 82.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 404 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mekenna most popular?
The single biggest year for Mekenna was 1999, when 30 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mekenna is about 23 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Mekenna a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Mekenna in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.