McKenna is an English first name derived from the Irish and Scottish surname, which itself originated as an Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Cionaodha meaning "son of Cionaodh." The personal name Cionaodh is composed of elements meaning "born of fire" (from cin "fire" and aodh "fire"). The McKenna surname has deep historical roots, notably in the Barony of Truagh in County Monaghan, Ireland, where the family were once "Lords of Truagh." Etymology and History According to wikipedia_en, the Gaelic Mac Cionaodha underlies both the Irish and Scottish forms of the surname. In Munster Irish, McKenna is also linked to Mag Cineáit, and variant forms like Ó Cionaodha (also Ó Cionnaith) have produced related surnames such as Kenny, Kenney, and Kennedy. The McKenna clan historically held territories in Ulster, particularly in modern-day County Monaghan, where they were a powerful Gaelic lordship. Over time, the surname spread across Ireland and into Scotland and England through migration. Adoption as a Given Name As a first name, McKenna was extremely rare before 1980. Its rise in popularity during the 1990s is attributed to its perception as a feminine-sounding alternative to Mackenzie, which itself had gained popularity as a unisex name. The use of surnames as first names has been a growing trend in English-speaking countries, and McKenna fits this pattern, offering a distinctive yet familiar sound. It is now primarily used for girls, though it remains occasionally unisex. Notable Bearers McKenna has been borne by various notable individuals, including American actress Alex McKenna, Canadian actress Charlotte McKenna (better known as Charli Baltimore), and members of the McKenna family in Irish history, such as Peter McKenna, an 18th-century sculptor. The wikipedia_en list mentions figures like Alan McKenna (several persons), business executive Andrew McKenna, English footballer Ian McKenna, and Texas politician Rick McKenna. The table of Notable people named McKenna also includes Australian rules footballer Shaun McKenna and Irish politician Vincent McKenna. As a given name, contemporary bearers include actresses, artists, and athletes across the English-speaking world. Variants and Related Forms The most common variant is Makenna, which simplifies the spelling while retaining the same pronunciation. Other related forms include McKenna, McKensie, and Kennah. These names share the same Gaelic origin and meaning, though McKenna remains the most widely recognized due to its historical surname usage. Meaning: "son of Cionaodh" or "born of fire" Origin: Irish and Scottish Gaelic (Mac Cionaodha) Type: Surname used as given name Usage: Predominantly female in English-speaking countries, especially since the 1990s