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Monroe

♀ Girl

Pronounced mun-ROH /mənˈroʊ/High

Meaning: From the Scottish and Irish surname Munro or Monroe, derived from Gaelic 'Bun Rath' (foot of the River Roe) or 'Muir Roe' (from the red bog); a topographic surname used as a given nameMedium

In 30 seconds: Monroe is a stylish Scottish surname name with Celtic topographic roots, best known as the surname of President James Monroe and the iconic Marilyn Monroe. As a girls' name it carries effortless, glamorous cool.
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Origin MediumScottish, Irish
MeaningFrom the Scottish and Irish surname Munro or Monroe, derived from Gaelic 'Bun Rath' (foot of the River Roe) or 'Muir Roe' (from the red bog); a topographic surname used as a given name
U.S. rank (2025)#467 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births658 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,261

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519282025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Monroe is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from Gaelic place-name elements. The most common etymology traces it to Bun Ró (foot of the River Roe in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland), where early bearers of the name may have originated. As a given name, Monroe follows the American tradition of using presidential and celebrity surnames.

Monroe gained traction as a girls' given name in the 21st century, largely inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic cultural presence. It fits within the broader trend of cool, sophisticated surname names for girls. Mariah Carey named her daughter Monroe in 2011, further boosting its profile.

Did you know? Marilyn Monroe — born Norma Jeane Mortenson — chose Monroe as her stage surname, and her cultural impact was so enormous that the name Monroe now carries a distinct association with Old Hollywood glamour and female power.
Overall data confidence 80%
Behind the Name — Monroe — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MunroMunroeMonroe

Nicknames

RoeRo

Famous Bearers

  • ★Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962)
    American actress and cultural icon of the 1950s and 1960s, born Norma Jeane Mortenson
  • ★James Monroe (1758–1831)
    5th President of the United States (1817–1825)

If you like Monroe…

Lennox— shares the Scottish heritage and the same chic surname-name appeal for girls
Marlowe— another literary/celebrity surname with similar cool, modern feminine energy
Hartley— shares the English/Scottish surname-name trend for girls
Reagan— another presidential surname used as a modern girls' name

Frequently Asked

What does Monroe mean?

Monroe is a Scottish surname from Gaelic, likely meaning 'foot of the River Roe' — a topographic name that became famous through President James Monroe and Marilyn Monroe.

How do you pronounce Monroe?

Monroe is pronounced mun-ROH /mənˈroʊ/ — two syllables with stress on the second.

Is Monroe a girls' name?

Monroe is used for both boys and girls but has increasingly become a girls' name, largely through association with Marilyn Monroe's glamorous legacy.

Is Monroe a popular name?

Monroe has been growing in the U.S. since the 2010s and now ranks in the top 300 girls' names, valued for its sophisticated, iconic associations.