Find out how popular the first name Guinness has been for the last 10 years (from 2000 to 2009) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Guinness by gender

Based on the last 10 years of data, Guinness is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2009, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Guinness.

The history of the first name Guinness

The name Guinness is derived from the Irish surname which originated as an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Cuinneagáin. The name is believed to have roots in the old Irish word "cuinne" meaning "brown-haired." It is thought to have first emerged as a given name in Ireland during the 8th or 9th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the first name Guinness was Guinness mac Dubhgaill, an Irish cleric who lived in the 10th century and was a scribe at the monastery of Clonmacnoise. Another early bearer of the name was Guinness Ua Dubhthaigh, an Irish poet who lived in the 12th century.

In the 14th century, there was a renowned Irish physician named Guinness O'Callaghan who served as the chief doctor to the King of Thomond. Records also show a Guinness O'Mullally who was a renowned bard and poet in the 15th century.

During the 16th century, a notable figure with the name was Guinness O'Clery, who was part of a prominent family of historians and scribes from Donegal. He is known for his work in compiling and transcribing many ancient Irish manuscripts and annals.

In more recent centuries, some notable individuals named Guinness include Guinness Browne (1798-1864), an Irish landowner and politician, and Guinness McMullen (1835-1907), an Irish-American businessman and banker who co-founded the McMullen Woven Wire Fence Company.

Overall, the name Guinness has a long and rich history, with roots stretching back over a millennium in Ireland. While it originated as a surname, it has been used as a given name for centuries, often borne by individuals from prominent Irish families and those involved in fields such as literature, medicine, and politics.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Guinness was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Guinness, please contact us.

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