Murphy
MER-fee
Murphy is an anglicised form of the Irish surname Ó Murchadha, derived from the Old Irish murchadh, combining muir (“sea”) and cath (“battle”), meaning “sea warrior.” It is one of the most common surnames in Ireland.
The name shifted from surname to given name in the United States during the 2010s surge of Irish surname names for girls.
Similar names like Riley, Quinn, and Kennedy paved the way for this distinctly masculine-rooted Irish surname to be adopted as a feminine given name.
What the name Murphy means
Murphy sits at its all-time SSA peak: No. 474 in 2024 with 647 births. This is the first year it has appeared at this rank in SSA records.
The television series Murphy Brown (1988-2018) is an early pop culture touchstone. More recently, the character Murphy in The 100 and broader Irish cultural pride have driven the name’s rise.
Two syllables — MUR-fee — with stress on the first beat. The name feels strong, distinctive, and unbothered by gender conventions, which is precisely its appeal.
Parents choosing Murphy for a girl often want a surname-style name with Irish heritage that feels bold and unconventional without being invented.
No variant spellings have significant usage. Murphy is used essentially in one form, which reinforces its identity as a surname-turned-given-name rather than a traditional first name.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Murphy
Murphy - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity