Find out how popular the first name Mooney has been for the last 1 years (from 2023 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mooney by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Mooney is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Mooney.

The history of the first name Mooney

The given name Mooney is believed to have originated from the Irish Gaelic language. It is thought to be derived from the Irish word "muine," which means "thicket" or "shrubbery." This suggests that the name may have been associated with people who lived in or near dense wooded areas.

In its earliest forms, the name was likely spelled as "Muine" or "Muiney." Over time, as the name spread and evolved through different regions and dialects, the spelling gradually changed to the more modern form of "Mooney."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mooney dates back to the 12th century. In the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history, there is a reference to a man named "Muireadach Ua Muine" (Muredach O'Mooney) who was a prominent figure in the year 1149.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Mooney. In the 16th century, Dermot Mooney was an Irish chieftain and leader of the Mooney clan in County Monaghan. During the Irish Rebellion of 1641, Turlogh Mooney played a significant role as a military commander.

In more recent times, some famous Mooneys include:

1. James Mooney (1861-1921), an American ethnographer and author who studied Native American cultures.
2. Paul Mooney (1941-2021), an American comedian, writer, and social critic known for his satirical commentary on race relations.
3. Martin Mooney (1922-2020), an Irish Catholic priest and peace activist who campaigned against violence during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
4. Ciarán Mooney (born 1988), an Irish professional footballer who has played for various clubs in England and Scotland.
5. Billy Mooney (1884-1942), an American professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1906 to 1914.

While the name Mooney has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through Irish diaspora communities. The name has evolved and adapted over time, but its connection to its Celtic origins remains evident in its enduring usage and historical significance.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!