Murphy
Murphy: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmɜɹfi/ · /ˈmɜːfi/
Meaning and origin of Murphy
Root meaning: “descendant of Murrough”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname, of occasional usage.
Etymology
From Irish Ó Murchadha (“descendant of Murrough”), Mac Murchaidh (“Son of Murrough”), etc. See Muircath.
How popular is Murphy?
Since 1880, 4,688 girls and 8,486 boys in the U.S. have been named Murphy (36% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #397 in 2025. Its highest rank for boys was #510 in 1892. In 2025 it ranked #754 for boys, with 1,124 babies given the name.
Names similar to Murphy
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Irish unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Murphy
Sister and brother names that share Murphy's Irish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Murphy FAQ
What does the name Murphy mean?
Murphy traces back to a root meaning "descendant of Murrough". A unisex given name transferred from the surname, of occasional usage. From Irish Ó Murchadha (“descendant of Murrough”), Mac Murchaidh (“Son of Murrough”), etc. See Muircath.
What is the origin of the name Murphy?
Murphy is listed as a name of Irish origin.
How popular is the name Murphy?
Since 1880, 4,688 girls and 8,486 boys in the U.S. have been named Murphy (36% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #397 in 2025. Its highest rank for boys was #510 in 1892. In 2025 it ranked #754 for boys, with 1,124 babies given the name.
Is Murphy a boy or girl name?
Murphy is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (4,688 girls and 8,486 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.