Meaning, origin, history
McKenna is a name of Irish origin that means "son of the handsome one". It is derived from the Irish name "Maolmhichil", which consists of the elements "maol" meaning "bare-headed" or "devoted to God", and "Micheál" meaning "Michael". McKenna is traditionally a boy's name, but it has also been used as a girl's name in recent years.
The name McKenna has a long history in Ireland. It was first recorded there in the 12th century, when it was borne by an Irish prince named Maolmhichil O'Cahan. The O'Cahans were a powerful dynasty who ruled over the region of Cenel nEogain in County Derry.
McKenna is not particularly common as a given name, but it has been popular as a surname for centuries. According to some sources, the surname McKenna is one of the most common surnames in Ireland today. There are also many variations of the name, such as MacKenna, McKinney, and Kinney.
In pop culture, there have been several notable people named McKenna over the years. These include American actor Christopher McKenna, Australian cricketer John McKenna, and Scottish footballer Michael McKenna.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Mckena since 1880
Total births
411
Total since 1880
Peak year
1996
26 births
in 2019
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-85%
↘
vs previous 5 years