Etymology McKenzie is a variant of Mackenzie. Both are ultimately derived from a Scottish surname, an Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Coinnich, which means 'son of the fair one' or 'son of Coinneach'. The given name Coinneach itself is a Scottish Gaelic name composed of elements meaning 'fair' or 'handsome'. Usage as a First Name As a given name, McKenzie is used for both boys and girls, though it is predominantly female in the United States. The rise in popularity of feminine forms of Mackenzie can be traced partly to the actress Mackenzie Phillips (born 1959), who gained fame on the television sitcom One Day at a Time. Her visibility in the 1970s contributed to the name's adoption for American girls, along with other similar spellings like Makenzie and the diminutive Kenzie. In the United Kingdom, the name is more often used for boys. The surname Mankenzie itself dates back to the medieval clan system of Scotland, where Mac denotes son, and Coinneach comes from a personal name associated with a 12th-century saint. Notable Bearers Notable individuals with the name include American actress Mackenzie Phillips, a member of the musical family The Mamas & the Papas, and McKenzie Adams, an American television personality, among others. Meaning: Son of the fair one (Gaelic origin) Origin: Scottish Gaelic Type: Variant of Mackenzie Usage: Primarily English-speaking countries; more common for females in the US, for males in the UK