The story behind Murphy
From Irish Ó Murchadha (“descendant of Murrough”), Mac Murchaidh (“Son of Murrough”), etc. See Muircath.
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˈmɜɹfi/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈmɜːfi/
Popularity
Murphy ranked #397 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Murphy
Barry
Anglicized form of Irish Bairre, short form of Fionnbharr, from fionn (“white”) + barr (“head”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Conley
Anglicization of Irish Ó Conghalaigh and Ó Conghaile, patronyms of Conghalach. Doublet of Connolly
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Derry
From Irish Doire, from doire (“oak grove”), from Old Irish daire (“oak forest”), from Proto-Celtic *daru.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Reilly
From Irish Ó Raghallaigh, a surname meaning "descendants of Raghallach".
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Rory
Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Ruairidh and Irish Ruairí (“red-haired king”), from Old Irish Ruaidrí (“red king”).
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Mary
From Middle English Marie, from Old French Marie, from Latin Maria, from Ancient Greek Μαρία (María), Μαριάμ (Mariám), from Aramaic מַרְיָם (maryām) or Biblical Hebrew מִרְיָם…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Murphy
Aoife
Borrowed from Irish Aoife. The name is unrelated to the Biblical name Eva, which was rendered as Éabha in Irish. However, due to the lack of a more precise alternative familiar…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Brian
Borrowed from Irish Brian. Doublet of Brendan. Via English Brian from Irish Brian, ultimately from Breton Brien. From English Brian, from Irish Brian.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Brígida
Borrowed from Irish Brigid.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Murphy
Aidan
Name of an Irish saint, Anglicized from Irish Aodhán and Scottish Gaelic Aodhan, diminutives of Aodh (literally "fire", the name of a Celtic sun god).
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aidano
From English Aidan, from Irish Aodhán.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aiden
A male given name from Irish, variant of Aidan.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length