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Home › Baby Names Directory › Oonagh

Oonagh

♀ Girl

Pronounced OO-nuh /ˈuː.nə/High

Meaning: An Irish spelling of Una (Una/Oona), glossed variously as 'lamb' (Irish uan) or from uan/una meaning 'hunger' — the etymology is genuinely disputed, which we note. In Irish and Ulster folklore, Oonagh is the wife of Finvarra and queen of the fairies, a figure of great beauty; we note that honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: Oonagh is the Irish Una — and, in Irish lore, the name of the queen of the fairies (said 'OO-nuh').
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningAn Irish spelling of Una (Una/Oona), glossed variously as 'lamb' (Irish uan) or from uan/una meaning 'hunger' — the etymology is genuinely disputed, which we note. In Irish and Ulster folklore, Oonagh is the wife of Finvarra and queen of the fairies, a figure of great beauty; we note that honestly.
U.S. rank (2024)#14793 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 74

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719972024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Oonagh is an Irish spelling of Una, a name whose etymology is genuinely disputed: some read it from uan, 'lamb', others from a root meaning 'hunger', and Spenser used Una in The Faerie Queene for a figure of truth. We note the disagreement rather than picking a winner. In Irish and Ulster folklore, Oonagh is the queen of the fairies and wife of Finvarra, celebrated for her beauty — a real part of what the name carries, honestly noted. The -gh spelling is the most Irish of its forms (said 'OO-nuh').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely. Rare here, well loved in Ireland.

Did you know? In Irish folklore Oonagh is queen of the fairies, wife of Finvarra — said to be so beautiful that her golden hair swept the ground behind her.
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Oonagh — Irish form of Una; etymology disputed; fairy queen of Irish folklore

Variations

UnaOonaOonah

Nicknames

OonaNuna

Famous Bearers

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If you like Oonagh…

Oona— the plainer spelling of the same name
Una— the standard form behind it
Saoirse— a like Irish name with a tricky look
Maeve— a like Irish name from legend

Explore names like Oonagh

By themeheritageirishfolkloredisputed

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Oonagh mean?

Oonagh is an Irish form of Una, glossed as 'lamb' or from a root meaning 'hunger' — the etymology is disputed, which we note. In Irish lore Oonagh is the queen of the fairies.

How do you pronounce Oonagh?

It's said OO-nuh /ˈuː.nə/ — two syllables, stress on the first; the -gh is silent.

Is Oonagh a boy or girl name?

Oonagh is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Oonagh?

Oonagh is rare in the U.S. and better known in Ireland.

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