Oona appears 67 times at rank 1561 on female pets, a name that arrived in registries carried by owners who found it in old Hollywood, Irish mythology, or simply wanted something short, round-sounding, and genuinely uncommon. It works on a pet with no explanation required.
The Oona Lineage
Oona is an anglicization of the Irish name Úna, connected to the Old Irish word for "lamb" or possibly "unity." It was also the name of Oona O'Neill, who married Charlie Chaplin and became a fixture of golden-era celebrity culture. On the human side, Oona is a quietly rising choice for girls. On pets, it carries the same appeal: soft consonants, two syllables, nothing to mispronounce. Compare it with Luna and Nora in the same sonic register.
Sound and Breed Fit
OO-nah has a lilting quality that suits gentle, elegant dogs. Whippets and Irish setters wear it naturally — the Irish connection for the setter is a pleasant bonus. Cats also take to it; the soft double-O opening gives commands like "Oona, come" a musical shape.
The Counter-Reading
Oona is rare enough that most people will ask how to spell it. That's a minor inconvenience at the vet's front desk but rarely a lasting problem. Owners who choose it tend to love the exclusivity. The name doesn't need cultural defense; it simply sounds good.