Mackayla is a unique and distinctive given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname "MacKay," which means "son of Kay." In Gaelic, it translates to "true" or "pure."
The MacKays are a Highland Scottish clan, originally based in Sutherlandshire on the north coast of Scotland. The clan's history dates back to the 13th century when they were known as powerful warriors and chieftains. The name Mackayla is believed to have originated from this clan.
Although it has Scottish roots, Mackayla is not a traditional or widely-used name in Scotland. Instead, it gained popularity in North America during the late 20th century. Today, it is often seen as a creative and modern twist on traditional Scottish names like Mackenzie or Kayla.
In terms of its meaning, Mackayla signifies purity, truthfulness, and strength - qualities associated with the historical MacKay clan. However, unlike many other names with historical significance, Mackayla does not have any specific legends or stories attached to it. Its uniqueness and lack of historical baggage allow parents to assign their own meanings and interpretations to the name.
Overall, Mackayla is an uncommon yet captivating choice for a given name. With its Scottish heritage and inspiring meaning, it offers a distinctive option for those looking beyond traditional naming conventions.
The name Mackayla experienced significant popularity between 1996 and 2000, with peaks of 71 births in both 1998 and 2000. However, it has seen a steady decline since then, with only 9 births recorded in 2022 and 10 births in 2023. Overall, Mackayla has been the given name for 1287 newborn girls over the span of three decades, from 1992 to 2023.