Declining since 2017, #2,604 for boys today.
Popularity of Finnigan since 1999
Babies named Finnigan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 7 |
| 2000s | 265 |
| 2010s | 710 |
| 2020s | 371 |
Meaning & origin
Finnigan entered the U.S. popularity charts in 1999, reflecting the trend of adopting Irish surnames as given names. It reached its peak rank of 2604 in 2016, a year when it was given to about 1 in 34,162 boys. Since 2017, its usage has been gradually falling, but it remains in regular use. The name is most popular in Missouri, where it accounts for a higher proportion of births. Finnigan's appeal lies in its strong Irish heritage, the friendly nickname Finn, and its similarity to the more common Finnegan. While still relatively rare, it offers a distinctive alternative to more mainstream Irish names like Liam or Declan.
Finnigan is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Fionnagáin, derived from the personal name Fionnagán, a diminutive of Fionn, meaning 'fair' or 'white'. The name was traditionally associated with a sept in County Galway. As a given name, it emerged in the late 20th century, drawing on the popularity of Irish surnames as first names.
Where Finnigan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Finn, Finny, Gan
Variants: Finnegan, Finigan, Fionnagán
Sibling names for Finnigan
Names that share Finnigan's style, for a brother or sister.
