Monroe
Monroe: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /mənˈɹoʊ/
Meaning and origin of Monroe
Root meaning: “human being, person, man”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English mann m (“human being, person, man”) + Roe, a river in Northern Ireland, meaning "man from the River Roe".
How popular is Monroe?
Since 1880, 7,266 girls and 17,094 boys in the U.S. have been named Monroe (30% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #467 in 2025. Its highest rank for boys was #179 in 1882. In 2025, 815 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Monroe
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Monroe
Sister and brother names that share Monroe's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Monroe FAQ
What does the name Monroe mean?
Monroe traces back to a root meaning "human being, person, man". A unisex given name transferred from the surname. From Old English mann m (“human being, person, man”) + Roe, a river in Northern Ireland, meaning "man from the River Roe".
What is the origin of the name Monroe?
Monroe is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Monroe?
Since 1880, 7,266 girls and 17,094 boys in the U.S. have been named Monroe (30% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #467 in 2025. Its highest rank for boys was #179 in 1882. In 2025, 815 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Monroe a boy or girl name?
Monroe is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (7,266 girls and 17,094 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.