Troy

♂ Boy

Pronounced TROY /trɔɪ/High

Meaning: From the English surname Troy, derived from a French place name (Troyes in Aube, France) or from the legendary ancient city of Troy; ultimately linked to Greek Troios meaning 'of Troy'; also connected to Old French troie possibly meaning 'foot-soldier'High

In 30 seconds: Troy is a punchy one-syllable name steeped in ancient epic mythology. Whether it evokes Homer's legendary city or the clean sound of mid-century American naming, Troy projects strength without effort.

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Origin HighEnglish, Greek

MeaningFrom the English surname Troy, derived from a French place name (Troyes in Aube, France) or from the legendary ancient city of Troy; ultimately linked to Greek Troios meaning 'of Troy'; also connected to Old French troie possibly meaning 'foot-soldier'

U.S. rank (2025)#533 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births563 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1970

Total births (all-time)≈ 216,299

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Troy as a given name draws on two converging sources: the French city of Troyes in the Aube region (historically Augustobona Tricassium), which gave the name to Anglo-Norman settlers, and the legendary city of Troy in Homer's Iliad. The legendary city's Greek name Troía or Ilion entered Western consciousness through the Trojan War cycle. Both sources fused into the English surname Troy, which transitioned to a given name in the mid-20th century.

Troy rose sharply as an American given name in the 1950s and 1960s, aided by actor Troy Donahue, and peaked around 1967. It remained a top-100 name through much of the latter 20th century and has declined gradually since, now ranking around the top 400. Its one-syllable punch keeps it attractive to parents who want a short, strong classic without being overly old-fashioned.

Did you know? The city of Troy (Ilium) was thought to be purely mythological until archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann excavated a site at Hisarlık in modern Turkey in 1871 — revealing layers of a real ancient city that matched Homeric descriptions.

Overall data confidence 87%

Behind the Name — Troy — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Troy Donahue (1936–2001)
American actor and teen idol of the 1950s–60s whose fame helped popularize the name.

If you like Troy…

Chase— one-syllable English surname-name with the same clean, strong masculine energy

Blake— shares the short, crisp sound and the same confident mid-century appeal

Cole— another one-syllable classic boys' name in the same understated register

Brent— single-syllable English surname-name from the same mid-century naming wave

Frequently Asked

What does the name Troy mean?

Troy comes from the surname Troy, connected to both the ancient city of Troy from Homer's Iliad and the French city of Troyes, carrying meanings of place and heritage.

How do you pronounce Troy?

It is said TROY — one syllable.

Is Troy a boy or girl name?

Troy is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Troy?

Troy peaked in the U.S. top 50 in the late 1960s and now ranks around the top 400, remaining a recognizable, timeless choice.