Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Monroe

Monroe

♂ Boy

Pronounced mun-ROH /mənˈroʊ/Low

Meaning: Mouth of the Roe River; from the place nameLow

In 30 seconds: Monroe is a Scottish place name meaning mouth of the Roe River. As a given name it evokes both US President James Monroe and Marilyn Monroe, two of history's most iconic bearers of this two-syllable name.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowScottish, Irish
MeaningMouth of the Roe River; from the place name
U.S. rank (2025)#1262 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births157 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 17,090

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Monroe derives from the Scottish Gaelic bun Rothaich meaning mouth of the Roe River. It became the surname of the Monroe family of Munro in Scotland. President James Monroe was the fifth US President. Marilyn Monroe made it a global icon.

Monroe has grown as a given name for both boys and girls in the United States in the 21st century, carrying both presidential heritage and pop culture glamour.

Did you know? Marilyn Monroe — born Norma Jeane Mortenson — took her famous stage name Monroe from her maternal grandmother's surname. The name Monroe has thus carried simultaneously presidential gravitas and Hollywood glamour since the 1950s.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Monroe

Variations

MunroeMonroMunro

Nicknames

MonRoe

Famous Bearers

  • ★James Monroe (1758-1831)
    Fifth President of the United States and author of the Monroe Doctrine

If you like Monroe…

Beckett— Two-syllable surname name of same sophisticated feel
Winston— Presidential/powerful surname name
Lennox— Two-syllable Scottish surname name of same heritage
Sterling— Two-syllable surname name of same silver quality

Explore names like Monroe

By themetwo-syllableplace-nameirishscottishgender-neutralpresidentialglamorous
By meaningSea / Water

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Monroe mean?

Monroe means mouth of the Roe River from Scottish Gaelic, a place name turned surname turned given name.

Is Monroe a boy or girl name?

Monroe is gender-neutral and growing for both boys and girls in the United States.

How do you pronounce Monroe?

Monroe is pronounced mun-ROH with two syllables.

What names are similar to Monroe?

Similar names include Lennox, Winston, and Sterling.

💬 Ask Nia