Murphy

How to say it

/ˈmɜːr.fi/

What it means

From the Irish surname Ó Murchadha, muir ('sea') plus cath ('battle'), so 'sea warrior.'

Murphy is the single most common surname in Ireland, from Ó Murchadha, joining muir, 'sea,' to a battle element: a 'sea warrior.' It crossed into first-name use as a friendly, unisex pick, leaning a touch feminine lately, helped by the sitcom Murphy Brown. It has a warm, easygoing ring and the obvious short Murph.

Heads-up notes

• Worth knowing

  Unisex; Ireland's most common surname, meaning 'sea warrior.'

• Nickname

  Murph is the natural short.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

• Murphy Brown the sharp TV journalist of the namesake sitcom

Spelling variants

• Murphey
• Murchadh

Names with the same feeling

• Quinn Descendant of Conn
• Riley Courageous, valiant
• Sawyer Wood-sawer
• Finley Fair-haired hero
• Rory Red king

See Murphy from another angle