Oona Girl

Popularity: #886 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OO-nah //ˈuː.nə//

Origin: Irish; Latin

Meaning: Irish: 'lamb'; Latin: 'one'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Oona is derived from the Irish name Úna, which has its roots in the Old Irish word "únach," meaning "lamb" or "one." The name has been linked to the Latin word "una," which also means "one." This etymological connection emphasizes a sense of unity or singularity, which may have contributed to its appeal in various cultures. The transition of Úna into Oona likely occurred through the influence of Gaelic and English phonetic adaptations, particularly as Irish names were anglicized during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Historically, Úna is associated with several notable figures in Irish mythology and literature. One of the most prominent is Úna, the daughter of the legendary hero Fionn mac Cumhaill, who appears in various tales of the Fenian Cycle, a collection of stories from the early medieval period.

The name also appears in the context of early Christian saints, with Saint Úna being venerated in Ireland, particularly in the 7th century. This connection to both mythological and religious figures has helped to maintain the name's significance throughout Irish history.

Culturally, Oona and its variants have been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing purity and innocence, reflecting the original meaning associated with lambs. The name has also been used in literature, such as in James Joyce's works, where it can evoke themes of identity and belonging.

Additionally, the diminutive form "Una" has been used in various cultures, further enriching the name's historical tapestry. Overall, Oona's enduring presence in both Irish heritage and broader literary traditions underscores its cultural resonance and significance.

Famous people named Oona

In this section, you will find notable people named Oona. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Oona who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Oona who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Oona Chaplin is an actress best known for Game of Thrones, The Long Good Friday, and The Last of Us.

Fictional characters named Oona

The following list of fictional characters named Oona is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Oona is a fictional character from the animated film Strange Magic. She is a fairy who plays a significant role in the story's romantic and magical conflicts.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Oona, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

NoraLunaMonaCoraRunaTula

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Oona. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

UnaLunaNinaZoeMiraCeliaVeraSina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Oona was first seen in the United States in 1942.

Oona has ranked as high as #2956 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, and Oregon.

In the past 5 years the name Oona has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Oona is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Oona was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Oona.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 62 62
2024 73 73
2023 85 85
2022 84 84
2021 82 82
2020 76 76
2019 72 72
2018 78 78
2017 95 95
2016 112 112
2015 131 131
2014 63 63
2013 38 38
2012 40 40
2011 48 48
2010 41 41
2009 34 34
2008 34 34
2007 32 32
2006 36 36
2005 27 27
2004 27 27
2003 18 18
2002 25 25
2001 23 23
2000 19 19
1999 13 13
1998 16 16
1997 7 7
1996 18 18
1995 12 12
1994 7 7
1993 11 11
1992 5 5
1990 5 5
1987 6 6
1985 6 6
1984 5 5
1983 5 5
1981 9 9
1980 9 9
1979 10 10
1978 8 8
1977 7 7
1976 9 9
1975 16 16
1974 17 17
1973 12 12
1972 19 19
1971 10 10
1970 6 6
1969 8 8
1967 7 7
1966 6 6
1965 8 8
1964 8 8
1962 7 7
1961 7 7
1954 5 5
1944 5 5
1943 7 7
1942 5 5

Top States for Oona (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 12
39%
NY 8
26%
OR 6
19%
WA 5
16%