The spelling of the word "McKinnis" can be confused due to the silent "K". It is pronounced as /məˈkɪnɪs/. The first syllable "Mc" is a Gaelic prefix indicating a surname. The following syllable "Kinnis" is pronounced as /ˈkɪnɪs/ and is likely derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "ceannais," meaning a purchase or a bargain. When writing the name, it is important to remember to capitalize the "M" and "K" to honor the traditional convention of using uppercase letters for Gaelic prefixes.