Oona

Pronunciation: [ OON-uh ]

Girl Name #2,467 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A fairy-queen name from the heart of Ireland

Irish Scottish Finnish Scandinavian

Vintage Whimsical Elegant Literary

Meaning & Origin

"lamb"

Origin: Old Irish

Language: Irish

"one, unity"

Origin: Latin

Language: Latin

"wave"

Origin: Celtic

Language: Irish

The Story of Oona

Oona is the anglicized spelling of the Irish name Úna (also spelled Una), which likely derives from the Old Irish word 'uan' meaning 'lamb,' or alternatively from the Latin 'una' meaning 'one.' The name has ancient roots in Celtic mythology — Úna was a queen of the fairies in Irish legend, lending the name a whimsical, otherworldly quality that has endured for centuries.

Oona gained international attention largely through Oona O'Neill, daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill, who married Charlie Chaplin in 1943. More recently, actress Oona Chaplin (granddaughter of Charlie) has brought fresh attention to the name. Its gentle, two-syllable sound fits perfectly into the trend toward short Celtic names.

In Irish mythology, Úna was associated with the fairy realm and was sometimes depicted as the queen of the Connacht fairies. In Finland, Oona is used as a form of Johanna or Agnes, giving it a separate Scandinavian tradition.

Fun Facts

In Edmund Spenser's 1590 epic 'The Faerie Queene,' Una represents truth and purity
Oona O'Neill (1925–1991) was the daughter of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill
The name appears in the oldest Irish manuscript traditions dating to the 8th century

Oona in Other Languages

Irish Úna

Latin Una

Finnish Oona

Italian Una

Scottish Gaelic Una

Famous People Named Oona

Oona Chaplin

Actor

1986

British-Spanish actress known for her role as Talisa Stark in Game of Thrones

Oona O'Neill

Other

1925

American socialite, daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill and wife of Charlie Chaplin

Oona Fictional

Other

Fairy queen of Irish mythology, queen of Connacht's fairy realm

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,467
Total SSA Count: 73
Cultural Origins: Irish Scottish Finnish Scandinavian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Pairs Well With

Oona Rose Oona Mae Oona Claire Oona Violet Oona June Oona Pearl Oona Iris

Sibling Names

Finn Cillian Saoirse Aoife Declan Fiona Niamh

Similar Names

Lula Mona Una Lana Luz Lua Juno Fiona

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Oona

What does the name Oona mean?

"lamb" (from Old Irish). "one, unity" (from Latin). "wave" (from Celtic). Oona is the anglicized spelling of the Irish name Úna (also spelled Una), which likely derives from the Old Irish word 'uan' meaning 'lamb,' or alternatively from the Latin 'una' meaning 'one.' The name has ancient roots in Celtic mythology — Úna was a queen of the fairies in Irish legend, lending the name a whimsical, otherworldly quality that has endured for centuries.

What is the origin of the name Oona?

Oona has Old Irish, Latin, Celtic, Irish, Scottish, Finnish, and Scandinavian origins. In Old Irish, it means "lamb". In Latin, it means "one, unity". In Celtic, it means "wave".

Is Oona a boy or girl name?

Oona is primarily used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Oona?

Oona is pronounced OON-uh.

How popular is the name Oona?

Oona is currently ranked #2467 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Oona?

Popular middle name pairings include Oona Rose, Oona Mae, Oona Claire, Oona Violet, Oona June, Oona Pearl, and Oona Iris.

What are good sibling names for Oona?

Names that pair well with Oona as siblings include Finn, Cillian, Saoirse, Aoife, Declan, Fiona, and Niamh.

How many syllables does Oona have?

Oona has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Oona a common or rare name?

Oona is an uncommon name, ranked #2467 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Oona

Oona is a girl name with Irish, Scottish, Finnish, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "lamb" in Old Irish .

Oona is currently ranked #2,467 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Oona has 2 syllables and is pronounced OON-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.