Rising since 1986, #754 for boys today.
Popularity of Murphy since 1881
Babies named Murphy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 30 |
| 1890s | 5 | 86 |
| 1900s | 5 | 152 |
| 1910s | 33 | 487 |
| 1920s | 9 | 728 |
| 1930s | 28 | 604 |
| 1940s | 5 | 570 |
| 1950s | 0 | 597 |
| 1960s | 0 | 393 |
| 1970s | 0 | 354 |
| 1980s | 35 | 333 |
| 1990s | 337 | 532 |
| 2000s | 271 | 676 |
| 2010s | 837 | 1,331 |
| 2020s | 3,123 | 1,613 |
Meaning & origin
Murphy, ranking 754th in 2025, has been rising in popularity since 1986. Its 1-in-5,009 rate reflects a steady climb, with a peak year in 2025. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1881 and has seen particular favor in states like Arkansas, Kansas, and Idaho. Originally an Irish surname meaning 'sea warrior,' Murphy transitions smoothly into a given name with a friendly, approachable sound.
Murphy is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Murchadha, meaning 'descendant of Murchadh.' The personal name Murchadh combines 'muir' (sea) and 'cath' (battle), literally 'sea warrior.' Originally a surname borne by a powerful Irish sept in County Wexford and later throughout Ireland, Murphy has been used as a given name since the late 19th century, first for boys and increasingly for girls in recent decades.
Where Murphy is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Murphy” around the world
Where Murphy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
New Zealand
13
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Murphy
Names that share Murphy's style, for a brother or sister.
