"red king, famous ruler"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Rory
Pronunciation: [ r-AWR-ee ]
Does Rory flow with your last name?
Last of the Irish High Kings — a royal fire name
Irish
Scottish
English
American
Strong
Playful
Vintage
Bold
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Rory
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"great king"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Rory
See all →What the Rory report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Rory the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Rory
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Rory head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Rory actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Rory
Rory is the Anglicization of the Irish name Ruairí (or Scottish Ruairidh), from 'ruadh' (red) and 'rí' (king) — 'red king' or 'great king.' It was the name of several famous Irish kings, most notably Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (Rory O'Connor), the last High King of Ireland before the Norman invasion in 1166. The name has been used in Ireland and Scotland for centuries and has found a new audience in English-speaking countries.
Rory has been gaining popularity in the US since the 2000s, partly driven by the character Rory Gilmore in the TV series Gilmore Girls (which notably used it for a girl). For boys, the name appeals to parents of Irish heritage and those who love Celtic names. It has risen sharply in Ireland and the UK in the 2010s.
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair was the last true High King of Ireland — his reign marked the end of an era. In Scotland, the MacLeod clan's greatest chief was Ruari Mòr (Rory Mòr), celebrated in Gaelic poetry. The name carries the weight of Celtic royalty.
Historical Record
Rory first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 33,595 babies have been named Rory in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rory is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #226 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rory O'Connor was the last High King of all Ireland, ruling until 1183
- Rory McIlroy, one of golf's greatest champions, has brought the name into contemporary sports culture
- Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls shows the name's gender-fluid appeal
Rory in Other Languages
Irish
Ruairí
Welsh
Rori
Spanish
Rory
Scottish Gaelic
Ruairidh
Popularity Over Time
#226
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rory
R
Rory McIlroy
Athlete
1989
Northern Irish professional golfer and four-time major champion, ranked among the world's best
R
Rory O'Connor (Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair)
Royalty
1116
The last High King of Ireland, who ruled until 1183 when the Norman invasion ended the High Kingship
R
Rory Gilmore Fictional
Other
The bookish, Harvard-aspiring protagonist of the TV series Gilmore Girls, noted for her intelligence and literary love
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Lorenzo
Boy
"crowned with laurel"
#116
Myles
Boy
"soldier"
#99
Archie
Boy
"truly brave, genuinely bold"
#334
Archer
Boy
"bowman, one who shoots arrows"
#115
Roman
Boy
"strong, powerful one"
#52
Compare Rory with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #226
- Total SSA Count
- 1,594
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rory
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Rory fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Rory is also used as a girl name, ranked #286.
View Rory as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Rory →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Rory with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
See all Irish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Rory
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Rory and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Rory sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Lorenzo
Boy
Latin origin
"crowned with laurel"
#116 in US
Myles
Boy
Latin Miles origin
"soldier"
#99 in US
Archie
Boy
Germanic origin
"truly brave, genuinely bold"
#334 in US
Archer
Boy
Old French / Latin origin
"bowman, one who shoots arrows"
#115 in US
Roman
Boy
Latin origin
"strong, powerful one"
#52 in US
Jake
Boy
Hebrew origin
"may God protect"
#423 in US
Franklin
Boy
Old French origin
"free, liberated"
#389 in US
Easton
Boy
Old English origin
"east town"
#103 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Rory's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rory
What does the name Rory mean?
"red king, famous ruler" (from Irish Gaelic). "great king" (from Old Irish). Rory is the Anglicization of the Irish name Ruairí (or Scottish Ruairidh), from 'ruadh' (red) and 'rí' (king) — 'red king' or 'great king.' It was the name of several famous Irish kings, most notably Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (Rory O'Connor), the last High King of Ireland before the Norman invasion in 1166. The name has been used in Ireland and Scotland for centuries and has found a new audience in English-speaking countries.
What is the origin of the name Rory?
Rory has Irish Gaelic, Old Irish, Irish, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "red king, famous ruler". In Old Irish, it means "great king".
Is Rory a boy or girl name?
Rory is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #226. As a girl name, it is ranked #286. Rory is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Rory?
Rory is pronounced r-AWR-ee.
How popular is the name Rory?
Rory is currently ranked #226 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Rory?
Popular middle name pairings include Rory James, Rory Patrick, Rory Thomas, Rory Owen, Rory Finn, Rory Declan, and Rory Blake.
What are good sibling names for Rory?
Names that pair well with Rory as siblings include Finn, Declan, Maeve, Siobhan, Kieran, Aoife, Niall, and Bridget.
How many syllables does Rory have?
Rory has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rory a common or rare name?
Rory is a popular name, ranked #226 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Rory?
About the Name Rory
Rory is a boy name with Irish, Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "red king, famous ruler" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Rory a boy or girl name? Rory is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #226 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #286. Rory is more commonly used as a boy name.
Rory is currently ranked #226 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Rory has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-AWR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Rory include Roran, Rorik . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Irish Gaelic Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More boy names like Rory
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis