Rory

Pronunciation: [ r-AWR-ee ]

Boy Name #226 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

Last of the Irish High Kings — a royal fire name

Irish Scottish English American

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Meaning & Origin

"red king, famous ruler"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: English

"great king"

Origin: Old Irish

Language: Irish

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.

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

Famous People Named Rory

Rory McIlroy

Athlete

1989

Northern Irish professional golfer and four-time major champion, ranked among the world's best

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

Rory Gilmore Fictional

Other

The bookish, Harvard-aspiring protagonist of the TV series Gilmore Girls, noted for her intelligence and literary love

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

Roran #2436 Rorik #4409

Pairs Well With

Rory James Rory Patrick Rory Thomas Rory Owen Rory Finn Rory Declan Rory Blake

Sibling Names

Finn Declan Maeve Siobhan Kieran Aoife Niall Bridget

Also a Girl Name

Rory is also used as a girl name, ranked #286.

View Rory as a girl name →

Similar Names

Conrad Laurie Toni Glory Lani Yuri Corey Cory

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.

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.