Finnegan is an Irish surname and given name, derived from the Gaelic Ó Fionnghuine, which means "fair-haired". It is composed of two elements: 'finn', meaning fair or white, and 'cean' meaning little, small. The name was popularized by James Joyce's novel "Finnegans Wake", though it predates the book as an established Irish surname.
In Ireland, Finnegan is often shortened to Finn or Finnan, reflecting its Gaelic origins. As a given name, Finnegan has gained popularity in English-speaking countries over recent decades, particularly in the United States and Australia.
Notable individuals with the name Finnegan include American actor Finnegan Oldfield, known for his roles in "The Descendants" and "Gangster Squad", and Irish poet James Finnegan, who was a close friend of William Butler Yeats. The surname is also notable among historical figures like Thomas Francis Meagher, an Irish-American soldier who served as the governor of Montana territory.
In literature, apart from James Joyce's novel, Finnegan appears in works such as "Finnegan's Promise" by John Kennedy Toole and "The Finn Family Moomintroll" series by Finnish author Tove Jansson. These appearances further contribute to the name's recognition and appeal.
The name Finnegan experienced a significant increase in popularity from 2022 to 2023, with 13 births recorded in 2023, the highest number since these records began in 2009. However, it appears that there were no births named Finnegan in 2015, a notable dip compared to the surrounding years. Over the entire period from 2009 to 2023, there was a total of 93 babies named Finnegan.