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Unisex

Murphy

ˈmɜːr.fi

Sea warrior

Irish

How to say it

MUR · phy

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.

How to spell Murphy

The standard spelling is Murphy. Common variants include Murphey, Murchadh, but Murphy is the most widely used form.

Popularity over time

#10 #100 #1000 #1 #1078818802025

Feminine: peaked at #397 in 2025, currently #397 in 2025.

Masculine: peaked at #510 in 1892, currently #754 in 2025.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving

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

Common questions

What does the name Murphy mean?
From the Irish surname Ó Murchadha, muir ('sea') plus cath ('battle'), so 'sea warrior.'
What does Murphy mean in Irish?
In Irish, Murphy means "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.
How do you pronounce Murphy?
Murphy is pronounced ˈmɜːr.fi. Say it as MUR-phy, with the stress on the "mur" syllable.
How do you spell Murphy?
The standard spelling is Murphy. Common spelling variants include Murphey, Murchadh.
Is Murphy a boy or girl name?
Murphy is used for both boys and girls.
How popular is the name Murphy?
Murphy ranked #397 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.