US Popularity Rank: 27562

Origin: Scottish

Meaning: Child of the wise leader; Son of Kenneth

Mckensie is a form of Mackenzie, a name with Scottish and Irish origins meaning “child of the wise leader.” MacKenzie dates back to medieval times when it was a patronymic name combining Mac, meaning “son of,” and Kenzie, from the Scottish Gaelic personal name Coinneach or Kenneth, giving it the alternate meaning, “son of Kenneth.” This powerful clan played an integral role in Scottish history—specifically, Colin MacKenzie was the first Earl of Seaforth, true to the name’s “wise leader” meaning. More recently, actor Mackenzie Phillips helped popularize this title, particularly during the mid-1970s when she played Julie Cooper on the show One Day at a Time. This gender-neutral name can be spelled in a range of different ways, allowing for personalization, while cute nicknames like Mac or Kenzie add to its appeal.