A variant of McKenna invented in 1985. The name was developed while parents narrowing baby names. The name developed from McKenzie that parents thought to harsh and wanting a name that was easier to say and that was unique. The namesake for Makenna was the movie that parents loved called, "McKenna's Gold." The name has grown in popularity, particularly in Iowa it seems, since 1985 with many spellings. The idea in spelling the name Makenna was to make it easier to spell and so that it didn't look like a last name.