MacKenzie

[silentyrs.livejournal.com]

Hello everyone,

(This may offend some of you, and I apologize in advance)

I'm left scratching my head, wondering why many mothers in America have latched onto the name MacKenzie. I've always associated it with the well loved Bull Terrier, Spuds Mackenzie.

I'm 24 and of child bearing age, yet I remember Spuds very clearly. Spuds was the mascot for Bud Light Beer during the late 80's and 90's.

Is this a case of national forgetfulness?

What is your opinion? Mackenzie: Dog name or not?
Am I letting my pop culture iconography taint a perfectly reasonable name?
Why is this name so popular?



(also posted over at TheQuestionClub)

Comments

[soleilshine.livejournal.com]

MacKenzie is a popular last name where I live. I have nothing against the name, but totally wouldn't name my child it.

[neroli.livejournal.com]

For the other spelling, don't forget ol' Bob and Doug:

[silentyrs.livejournal.com]

ha ha ha... you hoser ;)

[silentyrs.livejournal.com]

Me too! I used to have a stuffed Spuds with the bandana and everything!

[sayga.livejournal.com]

i think mckenzie and anything beginning in mac (even makayla) are stupid names to give a girl. Mac- sounds so masculine to me, or else a last name. i don't think there is anything pretty about it.

that said, i don't think i've ever seen that dog before, and i'm 25.

[x-lostinyou.livejournal.com]

I've heard of it, but didn't know what it was. That being said, I don't think the mothers that give their children these names really think about it. I mean, if they did their research, they'd realize it's a name that means SON OF and therefore shy away from it. So I doubt previous namesakes even factored in to the decision.

[sarahrose.livejournal.com]

I have no recollection of that at all. To me, it's a nice girls' name.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I love the name Mackenzie! I am only 22 and I hate all things beer and alcohol related, so I don't know about Spuds. But I spent my childhood in Oregon, and I've loved the name Mackenzie because of the beautiful Mackenzie River.

[silentyrs.livejournal.com]

I love the association you have with the name =) It's not on my favorites list, but it makes me happy to read such special reason for liking it.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

thanks! That was a really nice thing to say. I love LJ sometimes.

*glows*

[stars-are-fire.livejournal.com]

I'm almost 28 and sure do remember Spuds, but I have never once thought about him being associated with any little girls I know names MacKenzie/McKenzie.

Also, I know lots of little boys named Max. Never once thought about that idiotic 80's head in a TV cartoon, Max Headroom.

:)

[silentyrs.livejournal.com]

I may be a victim of my own childhood T.V. habits. Which is why I'm also going to avoid Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael.

:)

[stars-are-fire.livejournal.com]

Don't forget April and Casey! haha!

[cocinadelfeto.livejournal.com]

I don't understand why people use ANY of the Mc/Mac names for little girls. Same with -son names. I don't get why you'd want your daughter's name to mean "son of."

[trissyd.livejournal.com]

I've never understood that either... that's why "Madison" troubles me so much. I know a guy a few years younger than me with the name and it's also fit him... I think it just sounds tacky on girls.

[invisiblepet.livejournal.com]

I get this...but I've always wondered, how is Allison so well accepted for girls and it's still a "son" name..?

[cocinadelfeto.livejournal.com]

I don't like it. It's accepted for the same reason Madison is -- people think it's cute.

[krosp.livejournal.com]

Apparently it's the only -son name where the "son" doesn't mean "son of" but I don't know where I heard this.

[sotypical42483.livejournal.com]

Allison is the medieval form of Alice. It doesn't mean son of

[elemmennope.livejournal.com]

I know the dog but I mostly associate Mackenzie with the actress Mackenzie Phillips and the sitcom One Day at a Time.

[vegassunshine.livejournal.com]

My daughter is named Mackenzie. We originally wanted to name her "Kenzie" but I wanted to give her the full name. But we call her Kenzie for the most part.
I think more of Mackenzie Phillips than the dog also. LOL

[vegassunshine.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! :o)

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

ahem and she has a lovely middle name :)

^Rose

[vegassunshine.livejournal.com]

LOL, thank you!! I like Rose too! :o)

[heyitsrebecca.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't name a dog I hated Mackenzie.. let alone a little girl. =X

It's terrible. All Mc/Mack/Son names are for little girls. And they aren't that wonderful for boys either, IMO

[ashadelic.livejournal.com]

I'm 23 and I remember Spuds Mackenzie, although I didnt remember what he was the icon FOR. A few years ago my brother decided to breed bull terriers and I always told people he was breeding "Spuds Mackenzie" dogs. Everyone knew what I was talking about. But, at the same time, I've known a few girls name Mackenzie, and although I'm familiar with the association, it's never been the first thing that pops into my head.

[invisiblepet.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU!!! Someone else noticed that. When I first started hearing about kids named Mackenzie I would think "Bwha ha haaaa like the dog." I had a stuffed Spuds too. I'm 26.

The name Mackenzie has since grown on me, like a fungus. I'm used to it, but I don't like it. I would be happy getting rid of it. But I realize it's going to stick around.

[miss-tee.livejournal.com]

I have never heard of Spuds Mackenzie, perhaps because I'm from Canada?
I still think MacKenzie or any variation is a horrid first name for a girl or boy.

[maewyn]

SPUDS!!! Yeah, when I first heard MacKenzie I thought "...like the dog?" (I'm 25.)

There are going to be more MacKenzies than Sarahs and Jennifers in the next 10 years, if there aren't already.

[dancing-crazy.livejournal.com]

I think MacKenzie is a lovely name for a child. (As long as that child is male.)

Spuds!

[in-the-starlite.livejournal.com]

Haha. That name is totally reserved for my next dog.

[coconutchica.livejournal.com]

i think of that dog.....and also the parody of it from futurama where it was slurmz mackenzie i think....

i just hate when people use "mickey" as a nn for a GIRL with this name. mickey is a boy's only....no make that mice-only nn!

[krosp.livejournal.com]

I think of it as a last name only. Never heard of the Spuds thing... and I guess I'm getting used to Mackenzie as a girls' name, although I think it's awfully trendy. Once a child has the name it grows on them I suppose

[sotypical42483.livejournal.com]

I don't think Mackenzie is a dog's name, I just think it's a stupid name.

[scintillated.livejournal.com]

I totally remember Spuds. Hehee.