Murphy: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced MERR-fee · 2 syllables
Murphy means “descendant of Murrough”, from Irish.
From Irish O Murchadha (“descendant of Murrough”), Mac Murchaidh (“Son of Murrough”), etc. See Muircath.
- Meaning
- descendant of Murrough
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- MERR-fee
- US rank (2025)
- #397
- US babies a year
- about 850 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2020
- Style
- Rising
How popular is Murphy?
Murphy was the #397 name in the US in 2025, given to 1,124 babies. It’s rising: up 458% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #397 |
| Scotland | #992 |
| Canada | #998 |
| Australia | #188 |
How old are people named Murphy?
Half of US adults named Murphy are older than 38; most are between 19 and 83. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Names like Murphy
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Murphy
What does the name Murphy mean?
Murphy means “descendant of Murrough”. It comes from Irish.
How do you pronounce Murphy?
Murphy is pronounced MERR-fee.
How popular is the name Murphy?
Murphy was the #397 name in the US in 2025, given to 1,124 babies. It’s rising: up 458% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
How old are people named Murphy?
Half of US adults named Murphy are older than 38. Most are between 19 and 83.