Declining since 2019, #3,903 for girls today.
Popularity of Hennessy since 1991
Babies named Hennessy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 120 |
| 2000s | 558 |
| 2010s | 584 |
| 2020s | 306 |
Meaning & origin
Hennessy first appeared on the U.S. naming charts in 1991, and by 2019 it reached its peak rank of 3,903. Since then, its usage has been falling, as reflected in the 2025 trajectory. The name is most popular in California and Texas, states with diverse naming trends. As a surname-turned-first-name, it follows a pattern common in modern American naming, where family names are adopted as given names.
Hennessy is a given name derived from the Irish surname Ó hAonghusa, meaning 'descendant of Aonghus'. Aonghus is an ancient Celtic name composed of elements meaning 'one' and 'choice' or 'strength'. The surname has been used as a first name, particularly in the United States, since the late 20th century, likely influenced by the cognac brand Hennessy.
Where Hennessy is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hen, Hennie, Ness
Variants: Hennessey
Sibling names for Hennessy
Names that share Hennessy's style, for a brother or sister.
