Oona is a charming and unique feminine given name with Finnish origins. The name is derived from the Finnish word "uo" which means "fog." In Finnish mythology, Ukon Wainu was believed to be the god of thunder and lightning who rode in a chariot drawn by two pigs through the foggy skies.
The name Oona gained popularity outside Finland after being used by Irish playwright Eugene O'Neill for his daughter, born in 1937. Despite its Finnish origins, the name has been widely adopted by English-speaking countries and is now considered a name of international appeal.
Oona is often associated with wisdom, intelligence, and creativity due to its connection to the thunder god Ukon Wainu in Finnish mythology. However, it is important to note that the personality traits and associations of an individual are unique to them alone and should not be determined solely by their given name.
In terms of popularity, Oona has seen steady growth in usage since the mid-20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Oona ranked 947th for girls' names in 2019, indicating that it is still relatively uncommon but far from unknown.
Overall, Oona is a captivating and distinctive feminine given name with an intriguing origin story rooted in Finnish mythology. Its meaning of "fog" adds to its allure, while its association with wisdom and creativity makes it an attractive choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Oona has seen a significant rise in popularity over the years, with a total of 1638 babies named Oona between 1942 and 2023. While there were few births in the earlier decades (the highest being 7 births in 1943 and again in 1961), the name gained traction from the late 1960s onwards, with consistent increases each decade until reaching a peak of 84 births in both 2022 and 2023. The most notable spikes in popularity occurred between 2014 and 2017, during which time there were over 130 births annually.