Mackenzie

MacKenzie is a surname of Scottish origin that is also used as a given name. It derives from the Gaelic MacCoinnich, meaning “son of Coinneach” (the Gaelic form of Kenneth). Spelling variants include Mackenzie, MacKenzie, McKenzie, and Mackenzy.

As a surname, MacKenzie is common in Scotland and among people of Scottish heritage around the world. Notable individuals with the surname include Alexander Mackenzie (1822–1892), the second Prime Minister of Canada, and Alexander Mackenzie (c. 1764–1820), a Scottish explorer who helped map parts of North America and reach the Pacific coast.

As a given name, Mackenzie is widely used in North America and elsewhere, with usage for both boys and girls since the late 20th century. Notable people with the given name include MacKenzie Scott, American philanthropist (born 1970), and Mackenzie Davis, Canadian actress (born 1987).

Geographically, the name appears in place names and institutions across the English-speaking world. The Mackenzie River in Canada is named after the explorer Alexander Mackenzie, and other towns, counties, and schools bear the MacKenzie/Mackenzie spelling. The name's enduring popularity reflects its Scottish roots and its broad adoption in contemporary English-speaking cultures.