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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rory

Rory

♀ Girl

Pronounced ROR-ee /ˈrɔːri/High

Meaning: Red king; red-haired rulerHigh

In 30 seconds: A fiery Irish-Gaelic name meaning 'red king.' Traditionally male, Rory has become a popular choice for girls with a spirited, gender-neutral edge — bold enough to stand out, familiar enough to feel at home.
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Origin HighIrish, Scottish Gaelic
MeaningRed king; red-haired ruler
U.S. rank (2025)#230 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,332 girls (0.08% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 13,575

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519472025

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

Rory is the anglicised form of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name Ruadhri, composed of ruadh (red) and rí (king). The name was borne by several important figures in Celtic history, most famously Rory O'Connor, the last High King of Ireland. It has been a steady favourite in Ireland and Scotland for centuries.

In the 21st century, Rory crossed the gender line in the U.S. and U.K., gaining popularity as a girls' name. This was partly propelled by the character Rory Gilmore in the TV series Gilmore Girls (2000–2007, 2016), which introduced a generation of American viewers to a loveable, book-obsessed girl named Rory.

Did you know? Rory is one of the most ancient royal names in Ireland — Ruaidhri Ua Conchobair (Rory O'Connor, d. 1198) was the last High King of Ireland before the Norman conquest.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Rory — etymology and Gaelic historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RuadhriRoriRorrie

Nicknames

Ro

Famous Bearers

  • ★Rory O'Connor (Ruaidhri Ua Conchobair) (c. 1116–1198)
    Last High King of all Ireland before the Norman invasion.

If you like Rory…

Scottie— fellow traditionally-male name embraced with gusto for girls
Briar— strong, nature-themed unisex name with the same tomboyish charm
Quinn— Irish unisex name with the same crisp, one-syllable confidence
Rylan— shares Rory's Irish roots
Ryann— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Rory

By themeirishgaeliccelticspiritedunisex-trending
By meaningRoyal / Noble

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rory mean?

Rory is an Irish Gaelic name meaning 'red king,' from ruadh (red) and ri (king).

How do you pronounce Rory?

It is said ROR-ee /ˈrɔːri/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rory a boy or girl name?

Rory was traditionally a boys' name but is now used for girls in significant numbers, especially in the U.S.

How popular is Rory?

Rory has been climbing for girls in the U.S., entering the top 300 in recent years, while remaining popular for boys in Ireland and Scotland.

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