Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Oona
GirlIrish· “from Irish Úna, possibly lamb or unity”
- Meaning
- from Irish Úna, possibly lamb or unity (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- OO-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,768
- US babies 2025
- 62
- Best rank
- #1,639 (2015)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Oona
Oona is often said to mean “from Irish Úna, possibly lamb or unity”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
Oona is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Úna, a name whose meaning is uncertain. It is often linked to the Irish uan, "lamb," or to the Latin unus, "one," suggesting unity, but neither link is secure. In Irish folklore, Úna appears in some tales as queen of the fairies alongside Finvarra. The spelling Oona is also used in Finland, where it is a familiar name in its own right. It is said OO-nuh. Short and round in sound, it has an old Irish feel and needs no nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Una.
Popularity over time
Oona first appears in US Social Security records in 1942. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,639 in 2015, the same year it reached its highest count of 131 babies. In 2025, 62 babies were named Oona, and it ranked #2,768 nationally. That is 53% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #7,213 in 1980, #5,882 in 2000, #3,798 in 2010, and #2,768 in 2025. Of the 1,776 US girls named Oona since records began, 40% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 462 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Emoni, Avarie, Milly, Aubreigh, and Isobel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Oona ranked highest in New York and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1394 | 10 |
| California | #2709 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Oona is usually pronounced OO-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with O and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Una.
Middle names for Oona
A few middle names that flow with Oona: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Oona
Similar names
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Lists that include Oona
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Oona mean?
Oona is often said to mean “from Irish Úna, possibly lamb or unity”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Oona?
Oona has Irish roots. Oona is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Úna, a name whose meaning is uncertain.
Is Oona a popular name?
Not especially. Oona ranked #2,768 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Oona a boy or girl name?
Oona is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Oona?
Oona is usually pronounced OO-nuh. 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