Monroe

Pronunciation: [ m-uhnr-OH ]

Girl Name #571 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

Old Hollywood glamour meets American presidential gravitas

Scottish Irish American

Bold Vintage Sophisticated Modern Royal

Meaning & Origin

"mouth of the River Roe"

Origin: Gaelic/Scottish

Language: Scottish Gaelic

"from the bogs near the Roe river"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with Marilyn Monroe — an asset for many, but the name carries the tragic glamour of her life story

The Story of Monroe

Monroe is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from 'Munroe', meaning 'mouth of the River Roe' — referring to a geographical feature in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, where the River Roe meets Lough Foyle. The Munro/Monroe family migrated from Ireland to Scotland, and many emigrated to North America, where the name became prominent through President James Monroe and the icon Marilyn Monroe.

Monroe became a popular girl's name in the 2010s, part of the presidential-surname trend (alongside Kennedy, Reagan, and Madison) combined with the glamour of Marilyn Monroe. Mariah Carey naming her daughter Monroe in 2011 was a significant boost. It sits at the intersection of old-Hollywood glamour and American presidential heritage.

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) transformed Monroe into a symbol of dazzling femininity, vulnerability, and tragic beauty. James Monroe (1758-1831) gave it presidential gravitas. Together these associations make Monroe a name that evokes two very different but equally powerful American archetypes of the 20th century.

Fun Facts

Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson and chose Monroe — her mother's maiden name — as her stage name
President James Monroe authored the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, warning European powers against colonization in the Americas
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon named their daughter Monroe Cannon in 2011

Monroe in Other Languages

Irish Munroe

French Monroe

English Monroe

Spanish Monroe

Scottish Munro

Famous People Named Monroe

Marilyn Monroe

Actor

1926

American actress and cultural icon, one of the most photographed women of the 20th century, known for Some Like It Hot

James Monroe

Politician

1758

5th President of the United States, last Founding Father to be president, author of the Monroe Doctrine

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #571
Total SSA Count: 529
Cultural Origins: Scottish Irish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Roe Monnie

Pairs Well With

Monroe Grace Monroe Rose Monroe Lee Monroe Blair Monroe June Monroe Faye Monroe Sloane

Sibling Names

Lennox Presley Jagger Bowie Lennon Sloane Marlowe

Also a Boy Name

Monroe is also used as a boy name, ranked #1282.

View Monroe as a boy name →

Similar Names

Monroe Harlow Murphy Marlow Meadow Rowe Marlo Marly

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Monroe

What does the name Monroe mean?

"mouth of the River Roe" (from Gaelic/Scottish). "from the bogs near the Roe river" (from Irish Gaelic). Monroe is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from 'Munroe', meaning 'mouth of the River Roe' — referring to a geographical feature in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, where the River Roe meets Lough Foyle. The Munro/Monroe family migrated from Ireland to Scotland, and many emigrated to North America, where the name became prominent through President James Monroe and the icon Marilyn Monroe.

What is the origin of the name Monroe?

Monroe has Gaelic/Scottish, Irish Gaelic, Scottish, Irish, and American origins. In Gaelic/Scottish, it means "mouth of the River Roe". In Irish Gaelic, it means "from the bogs near the Roe river".

Is Monroe a boy or girl name?

Monroe is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #571. As a boy name, it is ranked #1282. Monroe is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Monroe?

Monroe is pronounced m-uhnr-OH.

How popular is the name Monroe?

Monroe is currently ranked #571 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Monroe?

Common nicknames for Monroe include Roe and Monnie.

What are good middle names for Monroe?

Popular middle name pairings include Monroe Grace, Monroe Rose, Monroe Lee, Monroe Blair, Monroe June, Monroe Faye, and Monroe Sloane.

What are good sibling names for Monroe?

Names that pair well with Monroe as siblings include Lennox, Presley, Jagger, Bowie, Lennon, Sloane, and Marlowe.

How many syllables does Monroe have?

Monroe has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Monroe a common or rare name?

Monroe is moderately common, ranked #571 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Monroe

Monroe is a girl name with Scottish, Irish, and American origins . The name means "mouth of the River Roe" in Gaelic/Scottish .

Is Monroe a boy or girl name? Monroe is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #571 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,282. Monroe is more commonly used as a girl name.

Monroe is currently ranked #571 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Monroe has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-uhnr-OH, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Monroe include Roe and Monnie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.