Una

♀ Girl

Pronounced OO-nah /ˈuː.nɑː/High

Meaning: From Latin una, meaning 'one' or 'unity'; also used as an Anglicization of the Irish name Úna, possibly meaning 'lamb'High

In 30 seconds: Una is a crisp, ancient name meaning 'one' in Latin and possibly 'lamb' in Irish. Edmund Spenser used it for the embodiment of truth in his epic poem The Faerie Queene.

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Origin HighLatin, Irish

MeaningFrom Latin una, meaning 'one' or 'unity'; also used as an Anglicization of the Irish name Úna, possibly meaning 'lamb'

U.S. rank (2025)#3245 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births49 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1921

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,108

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Una derives from the Latin una, the feminine form of unus, meaning 'one.' It is also the Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic name Úna, used in Ireland since at least the early medieval period. The Irish etymology is uncertain — possible connections to uan (lamb) or older Gaelic roots have been proposed. Edmund Spenser immortalized the Latin-inspired form in his 1590 allegorical epic The Faerie Queene.

Una has been used in Ireland, Scotland, and England for centuries. The Irish form Úna was borne by several legendary and historical figures. In the 20th century, Una gained modest use in the English-speaking world as a short, elegant alternative to longer -una names. It has been experiencing a quiet revival as parents seek spare, classical two-syllable names.

Did you know? Edmund Spenser named the heroine of The Faerie Queene (1590) Una to represent the One True Church and the virtue of Truth — giving this simple two-syllable name enormous allegorical weight.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name – Una — Latin and Irish etymologyOxford Dictionary of First Names — Historical usage in Ireland and England

Variations

ÚnaOonaOonaghJuno

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Una Merkel (1903–1986)
American actress known for her work in classic Hollywood films of the 1930s, including 42nd Street and Destry Rides Again.
★Una O'Connor (1880–1959)
Irish-born American character actress celebrated for roles in Hollywood films including Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man.

If you like Una…

Oona— direct phonetic variant of the same Irish name

Iona— short, crisp Celtic girl name with the same spare elegance

Ada— two-syllable classic girl name with ancient roots

Imogen— literary Celtic girl name with a similarly old-fashioned charm

Nell— short, classic English girl name with the same crisp simplicity

Explore names like Una

By themelatin classic short irish literary celtic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Una mean?

Una means 'one' or 'unity' in Latin. In Irish tradition it may mean 'lamb.' Both meanings suggest wholeness and purity.

How do you pronounce Una?

Una is pronounced OO-nah (/ˈuː.nɑː/), with stress on the first syllable.

Is Una a boy or girl name?

Una is a girl name with a long history of exclusive use for girls in Irish and Latin traditions.

How popular is Una?

Una is a rare but growing choice in the English-speaking world, appealing to parents who love short, classical names.