Mackenzie is a name of Scottish origin that has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. The name is derived from the Gaelic word "Coigach," which means "estate" or "land." It was originally used as a surname, given to someone who lived on an estate called Kintail, located in the Scottish Highlands.
The first recorded use of Mackenzie as a given name for boys dates back to the 17th century. However, it wasn't until the late 20th century that the name began to be used more frequently for girls. Today, Mackenzie is often considered a unisex name and is used by people of various cultural backgrounds.
One notable figure associated with the name Mackenzie is the Scottish novelist Hugh Miller, who lived during the 19th century. His birthplace was the village of Cromarty, located in the Highland region of Scotland. Although there is no evidence to suggest that he had any direct connection to the Mackenzies of Kintail, his writings about life in the Highlands have helped to popularize Scottish names like Mackenzie.
In recent times, the name Mackenzie has been featured prominently in popular culture. For instance, it was the title character's last name in the hit television series "Mackenzie & Parker," which aired from 2015 to 2016. Additionally, several celebrities have chosen Mackenzie as a first or middle name for their children, further contributing to its growing popularity.
In conclusion, Mackenzie is a Scottish name with a rich history and meaning. Its origins trace back to the Gaelic word "Coigach," which translates to "estate" or "land." While traditionally used as a boy's name, Mackenzie has gained significant traction as a unisex given name in recent decades. Its popularity can be attributed to various factors, including its association with notable figures like Hugh Miller and its frequent appearances in popular culture.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Mackenzie in the United States from 1973 to 2023. The name's popularity has seen significant fluctuations over this period.
Initially, Mackenzie was quite rare, with fewer than ten births per year between 1973 and 1986. However, starting from 1987, the popularity of the name began to rise sharply. In just two years, the number of annual births with the name Mackenzie more than doubled, reaching 775 in 1988.
The period between 1990 and 2000 was particularly notable for Mackenzie's popularity. During this time, the number of annual births with this name grew by nearly tenfold, peaking at 6349 births in 2000. This marked a significant shift in popularity, making Mackenzie one of the most common names during these years.
However, like many trends, Mackenzie's popularity began to wane after its peak in 2000. The number of annual births with this name gradually decreased throughout the 2000s and 2010s, although it remained relatively stable around the 3000-4000 births per year mark.
By 2020, Mackenzie's popularity had further declined, with only 2296 births recorded that year. This downward trend continued in subsequent years, with 2021 seeing 2271 births and 2022 recording just 2035 births. The most recent data available shows a further decrease to 1737 births in 2023.
In total, from 1973 to 2023, there were 138,377 births with the name Mackenzie recorded in the United States. This journey illustrates how popular culture and societal preferences can shape naming trends over time.