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McKinley

Boy

Meaning of McKinley: Scottish: 'son of the fair warrior'

McKinley is a boy's name most strongly associated with Scottish naming. It has 8 letters and 2 syllables, and it is a genuinely rare and unique choice — 656th most popular boys' name in the United States in 2025.

US rank 2025

#656

423 babies in 2025

England & Wales 2024

—

Fewer than 3 babies or unlisted

US babies since 1880

22,884

First recorded 1890 · peak 2014

Trend

falling

Style: rare

Popularity over time

1981: 49 babies1982: 47 babies1983: 48 babies1984: 43 babies1985: 58 babies1986: 56 babies1987: 74 babies1988: 55 babies1989: 61 babies1990: 71 babies19901991: 82 babies1992: 93 babies1993: 107 babies1994: 122 babies1995: 153 babies1996: 176 babies1997: 173 babies1998: 209 babies1999: 230 babies2000: 287 babies20002001: 266 babies2002: 268 babies2003: 261 babies2004: 309 babies2005: 303 babies2006: 353 babies2007: 329 babies2008: 370 babies2009: 453 babies2010: 600 babies20102011: 762 babies2012: 766 babies2013: 856 babies2014: 934 babies2015: 933 babies2016: 827 babies2017: 798 babies2018: 770 babies2019: 682 babies2020: 599 babies20202021: 625 babies2022: 502 babies2023: 506 babies2024: 405 babies2025: 423 babies
US babies named McKinley per year (Social Security Administration). Peak bar = 934.

Gender split

43% boys · 57% girls, based on US, UK and international usage.

Origins & cultures

More Scottish boys' names

Other names starting with M