Rory
Rory: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɹɔːɹi/ · /ˈɹoəɹi/
Meaning and origin of Rory
Root meaning: “red-haired king”
- A unisex given name.
- A male given name from Irish.
- A diminutive of the male given name Roderick.
- A female given name from Irish.
Etymology
Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Ruairidh and Irish Ruairí (“red-haired king”), from Old Irish Ruaidrí (“red king”).
How popular is Rory?
Since 1880, 13,580 girls and 35,841 boys in the U.S. have been named Rory (27% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #230 in 2025. Its highest rank for boys was #199 in 2025. In 2025 it ranked #199 for boys, with 3,100 babies given the name.
Names similar to Rory
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Irish unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Rory
Sister and brother names that share Rory's Irish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Rory FAQ
What does the name Rory mean?
Rory traces back to a root meaning "red-haired king". A unisex given name. A male given name from Irish. A diminutive of the male given name Roderick. A female given name from Irish. Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Ruairidh and Irish Ruairí (“red-haired king”), from Old Irish Ruaidrí (“red king”).
What is the origin of the name Rory?
Rory is listed as a name of Irish origin.
How popular is the name Rory?
Since 1880, 13,580 girls and 35,841 boys in the U.S. have been named Rory (27% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #230 in 2025. Its highest rank for boys was #199 in 2025. In 2025 it ranked #199 for boys, with 3,100 babies given the name.
Is Rory a boy or girl name?
Rory is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (13,580 girls and 35,841 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.