Find out how popular the first name Hennessy has been for the last 34 years (from 1991 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hennessy by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Hennessy is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 96% of people named Hennessy being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 44 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Hennessy.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby boys were named Hennessy in 2024, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Hennessy

The given name Hennessy has its origins in the Irish Gaelic language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the old Irish words "Oan" meaning "one" and "Oisin" meaning "young deer" or "fawn". The earliest recorded spelling of the name was Oenghus, which later evolved into Angus and eventually Hennessy.

The name Hennessy has been documented in ancient Irish texts and manuscripts, such as the Annals of Ulster and the Book of Leinster, dating back to the 6th and 12th centuries respectively. These sources suggest that the name was borne by several influential figures in early Irish history, including kings, warriors, and poets.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the name Hennessy was Oenghus Olmucaid, a legendary Irish warrior and king who is said to have lived in the 2nd century AD. Another notable bearer of the name was Oenghus mac Nad Froích, the semi-legendary King of Munster who ruled in the 5th century AD.

In the 12th century, Oenghus Ua Laidgnen was an Irish poet and historian who authored several works, including the Lebor Bretnach (The Irish Celtic Vernacular). During the same period, Oenghus Ó Dálaigh was a renowned Irish poet and Chief Ollamh (head poet) of Ireland.

In more recent times, one of the most famous individuals with the name Hennessy was Richard Hennessy, an Irish soldier and entrepreneur who founded the Hennessy Cognac distillery in France in the late 18th century. Another notable bearer of the name was John Hennessy, an Irish-American politician who served as the 19th Governor of New Hampshire from 1857 to 1859.

Other significant individuals with the given name Hennessy include Hennessy Youngman (1911-1998), an American comedian and actor, and Hennessy Lopes-Baptista (born 1996), a Portuguese professional footballer who currently plays for Paços de Ferreira.

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 Hennessy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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