Rory
Rory is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Red king.
Origin and history
Rory is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ruarí, which combines words meaning 'red' and 'king'. Historically popular in Ireland and Scotland, the name has grown significantly in usage in the United States in recent years. It is used for both boys and girls in modern U.S. contexts, though it carries a classic, upbeat Irish heritage.
Popularity in the United States
35,841 babies in the United States have been named Rory since 1880. It ranks #607 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #250.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.3 %)
- NY (8.8 %)
- IL (6.4 %)
- TX (5.8 %)
- PA (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 10 |
| 1940-1950 | 462 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,621 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,737 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,668 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,738 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,706 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,737 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,990 |
| 2020-2029 | 8,172 |
Famous people named Rory
- Rory McIlroy: Professional Golfer
- Rory Kinnear: Actor
- Rory McCann: Actor
Fun facts
- The original Gaelic form, Ruaidhrí, was borne by Ru AIDHRÍ Ua Conchobair, the last High King of Ireland in the twelfth century.
- While historically used in the U.S., Rory has experienced a modern resurgence in popularity since 2020.