Troy

Pronunciation: [ tr-OY ]

Boy Name #531 Most Popular Steady 1 Syllable

Named for the city that launched a thousand ships

English American Irish Australian

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Meaning & Origin

"from the city of Troy"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"foot soldier"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

The Story of Troy

Troy derives from the ancient city of Troy (Greek: Troia), the legendary site of the Trojan War described in Homer's Iliad. The city's name is sometimes linked to Tros, the mythical king who founded the city. As a given name, Troy began appearing in the English-speaking world in the 19th century and gained traction in the United States in the mid-20th century.

Troy peaked in US popularity from the 1950s through 1980s, boosted by actor Troy Donahue (1936-2001), a heartthrob of the early Hollywood era. It remained a steady, working-class masculine name through the 80s and 90s and experienced a small nostalgic revival in the 2010s. In Australia, Troy has been particularly well-used.

The name carries the full weight of one of antiquity's most famous stories — the wooden horse, Achilles, Helen, and the ten-year siege. It evokes heroism, passion, and dramatic fate.

Fun Facts

The ancient city of Troy was discovered in 1868 by archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in what is now northwestern Turkey
Troy ranked in the top 50 US boys names throughout the 1960s and 70s
The Trojan War is the subject of Homer's Iliad, one of the oldest works of Western literature

Troy in Other Languages

Greek Troia

Latin Troia

French Troie

Italian Troia

Spanish Troya

Famous People Named Troy

Troy Aikman

Athlete

1966

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s

Troy Donahue

Actor

1936

American actor and 1950s-60s Hollywood heartthrob known for A Summer Place

Troy Bolton Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Disney Channel's High School Musical (2006), a popular jock who discovers his love of singing and theater

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #531
Total SSA Count: 560
Cultural Origins: English American Irish Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Troi #3718

Pairs Well With

Troy Allen Troy James Troy Michael Troy Lee Troy Wayne Troy Anthony Troy Aaron

Sibling Names

Ryan Blake Paige Cody Brianna Logan Hailey

Also a Girl Name

Troy is also used as a girl name, ranked #17294.

View Troy as a girl name →

Similar Names

Andrew Floyd Leroy Jay Bruce Royal Lou Coy

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Troy

What does the name Troy mean?

"from the city of Troy" (from Greek). "foot soldier" (from Greek). Troy derives from the ancient city of Troy (Greek: Troia), the legendary site of the Trojan War described in Homer's Iliad. The city's name is sometimes linked to Tros, the mythical king who founded the city. As a given name, Troy began appearing in the English-speaking world in the 19th century and gained traction in the United States in the mid-20th century.

What is the origin of the name Troy?

Troy has Greek, English, American, Irish, and Australian origins. In Greek, it means "from the city of Troy". In Greek, it means "foot soldier".

Is Troy a boy or girl name?

Troy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #531. As a girl name, it is ranked #17294. Troy is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Troy?

Troy is pronounced tr-OY.

How popular is the name Troy?

Troy is currently ranked #531 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Troy?

Popular middle name pairings include Troy Allen, Troy James, Troy Michael, Troy Lee, Troy Wayne, Troy Anthony, and Troy Aaron.

What are good sibling names for Troy?

Names that pair well with Troy as siblings include Ryan, Blake, Paige, Cody, Brianna, Logan, and Hailey.

How many syllables does Troy have?

Troy has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Troy a common or rare name?

Troy is moderately common, ranked #531 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Troy

Troy is a boy name with English, American, Irish, and Australian origins . The name means "from the city of Troy" in Greek .

Is Troy a boy or girl name? Troy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #531 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,294. Troy is more commonly used as a boy name.

Troy is currently ranked #531 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Troy has 1 syllable and is pronounced tr-OY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Troy include Troi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.