Quinn is a Gaelic name which means "descendant of Cuinn". Her middle name, Lucinda, is Latin and means "light". This could refer to her light hair and eye colouring, or the light of the fire her friction addition can create. Her paternal surname, McKay, is Gaelic and means "fire". This is another reference to the use of her ability. Her maternal surname, Maitland, is both English and Scottish. It can either mean "bad disposition", "high and mighty" or "from Mautalaunt".