Makena


Makena is the Swahili word for ‘happiness’, and the cheer really is incarnated in the name. Contrary to popular belief, it is not an euneek and kreative spelleng of McKenna/MacKenna. The names are pronounced quite differently. Makena is said with much breath (mahh-KEHHN-ahh), whereas McKenna is much shorter and sharper. Makena seems very lively and inquisitive; the name of a bright, happy child, and McKenna is just colder.

In Kikuyu, a language spoken in Eastern Africa, Makena means "happy." In Modern American usage, though, Makena is usually an alternate form of McKenna.
See Also: McKenna

Your Favorite Names