Roy
Roy is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Red-haired or king.
Origin and history
Roy is a classic masculine name derived from the Scottish Gaelic word for red, or from the Old French word for king. It was exceptionally popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and remains a well-known traditional choice.
Popularity in the United States
408,638 babies in the United States have been named Roy since 1880. It ranks #83 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #546.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.6 %)
- CA (6 %)
- NY (4.6 %)
- IL (4.5 %)
- NC (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 6,565 |
| 1890-1900 | 9,779 |
| 1900-1910 | 10,632 |
| 1910-1920 | 40,340 |
| 1920-1930 | 63,259 |
| 1930-1940 | 51,495 |
| 1940-1950 | 65,648 |
| 1950-1960 | 61,847 |
| 1960-1970 | 40,047 |
| 1970-1980 | 22,353 |
| 1980-1990 | 14,308 |
| 1990-2000 | 8,601 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,581 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,017 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,166 |
Famous people named Roy
- Roy Orbison: Singer, Songwriter
- Roy Rogers: Actor, Singer
- Roy Disney: Executive, Businessman
Fun facts
- The name stems either from the Scottish Gaelic 'ruadh' meaning red or the Old French 'roi' meaning king.
- Roy was a mainstay in the top 100 most popular U.S. male names for several decades starting in the late 19th century.