Murphy
Murphy is a unisex name of Irish origin meaning “sea warrior, hound of the sea.” It ranked #754 in the United States in 2025. From Irish Gaelic 'Murchadh,' combining 'muir' (sea) and 'cath' (battle), meaning sea warrior.
Torn between Murphy and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Murphy?
MER-fee
where does the name Murphy come from?
An anglicization of an Irish surname meaning descendant of Murrough, a name related to Muircath, from muir, sea, and cath, battle.
Murphy is one of the most common Irish surnames and carries quintessential Irish warmth; it's gaining traction as a first name.
how popular is this name?
Murphy has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 73 years since 1881, and fell outside it for 72. It peaked at #497 in 1892, and ranked #754 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #754 |
| 2024 | #813 |
| 2023 | #901 |
| 2022 | #885 |
| 2020 | #965 |
| 1950 | #872 |
| 1940 | #862 |
| 1930 | #832 |
| 1920 | #775 |
| 1910 | #822 |
| 1900 | #518 |
| 1892 | #497 |
| 1890 | #884 |
| 1881 | #781 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Murphy fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Murphy?
- Eddie Murphy (comedian/actor)
- Murphy Brown (fictional TV character)
- Murphy's Law (popular adage)
what are the nicknames and variants of Murphy?
Nicknames
what names are similar to Murphy?
what names go well with Murphy?
Sibling names that share Murphy's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Murphy
What does the name Murphy mean?
Murphy means “sea warrior, hound of the sea”.
What is the origin of the name Murphy?
Murphy comes from the Irish naming tradition.
How popular is the name Murphy?
Murphy ranked #754 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1892, at #497, and it has spent 73 years in the top 1,000 since 1881.
Is Murphy a boy or girl name?
Murphy is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Murphy?
Murphy is pronounced MER-fee, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Murphy? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session