Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Hennessy
GirlIrish· “Irish surname: descendant of Aonghus”
- Meaning
- Irish surname: descendant of Aonghus
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- HEH-nuh-see
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #3,936
- US babies 2025
- 37
- Best rank
- #2,239 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Hennessy
Hennessy is an Irish name that means “Irish surname: descendant of Aonghus”.
Hennessy is an Irish surname, an anglicized form of Ó hAonghusa, descendant of Aonghus, an old name often explained as one strength or one choice. Many people know it through the Cognac house founded in France by Richard Hennessy, an Irish officer who had served in the French army, and that link gives the name a strong association with the brandy. As a girls' name in the United States it has a lively, surname-style sound in the manner of Delaney and Kennedy. It is pronounced HEH-nuh-see. Nessa offers a soft short form for everyday use.
Other spellings with the same sound: Hennessey.
Popularity over time
Hennessy first appears in US Social Security records in 1991. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,239 in 2019, the same year it reached its highest count of 82 babies. In 2025, 37 babies were named Hennessy, and it ranked #3,936 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,761 in 2000, #2,568 in 2010, and #3,936 in 2025. Of the 1,568 US girls named Hennessy since records began, 37% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 558 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Rylei, Azlynn, Vanya, Tasneem, and Railynn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hennessy ranked highest in California and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2006 | 10 |
| Texas | #3066 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Hennessy over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Hennessy is usually pronounced HEH-nuh-see, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with H and ends in “-sy”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Hennessey.
Middle names for Hennessy
A few middle names that flow with Hennessy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hennessy
Similar names
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Lists that include Hennessy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hennessy mean?
Hennessy is an Irish name that means “Irish surname: descendant of Aonghus”.
What is the origin of the name Hennessy?
Hennessy has Irish roots. Hennessy is an Irish surname, an anglicized form of Ó hAonghusa, descendant of Aonghus, an old name often explained as one strength or one choice.
Is Hennessy a popular name?
Not especially. Hennessy ranked #3,936 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Hennessy a boy or girl name?
Hennessy is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Hennessy over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Hennessy?
Hennessy is usually pronounced HEH-nuh-see. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings