Rooney
Primarily a girl's name of Irish origin with 774 recorded births. Also given to 643 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Irish.
Rooney is a girl's and boy's baby name of Irish origin, from the Irish surname Ó Ruanaidh, meaning 'descendant of the champion' or 'red-haired.' As a given name, it gained visibility through actress Rooney Mara, known for her roles in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Carol.
Rooney on a girl has a spirited, artistic quality — it sounds confident and distinctive, carrying Irish heritage and a modern indie cool that sets it apart from more conventional choices.
EtymologyShow more
Rooney appeared in SSA records in 2011, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly draw from global cultures, invent new names, and blend sounds to create something entirely original. Its Irish roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
Rooney’s 774 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Rooney has 14+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2011.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 428 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 346 | — |
The Story of Rooney
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Rooney is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Rooney are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Rooney?
Only about 1 in every 36,000 babies born in 2024 was named Rooney — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2011, peaked in the 2020s with 428 births that decade.
Rooney by the numbers
- Would fill 16 school buses
- Meeting one Rooney per day would take 2.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(14 years, 2011–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 100 | #1970 |
| 2023 | 93 | #2086 |
| 2022 | 91 | #2119 |
| 2021 | 68 | #2577 |
| 2020 | 76 | #2335 |
| 2019 | 58 | #2886 |
| 2018 | 73 | #2454 |
| 2017 | 44 | #3538 |
| 2016 | 38 | #3980 |
| 2015 | 36 | #4133 |
| 2014 | 38 | #3987 |
| 2013 | 32 | #4518 |
| 2012 | 21 | #6294 |
| 2011 | 6 | #16379 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Rooney as a Boy's Name
Rooney is a true unisex name. As a boy's name, it has 643 recorded births since 1943.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rooney a boy's or girl's name?
When was Rooney most popular?
How popular is the name Rooney?
Can Rooney be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2011–2024