Rory Unisex

Popularity: #215 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationROHR-ee / /ˈrɔːri/

Irish; Scottish

Meaning

Irish: red king; Scottish: from the red-haired one

Historical & Cultural Background

Rory is derived from the Gaelic name 'Ruairí', which has been used in Ireland since the early medieval period. It has historical significance, being borne by several kings and notable figures in Irish history. The name has also gained popularity in Scotland, where it is often associated with the Gaelic word for 'red'. In contemporary times, Rory has become a popular name in English-speaking countries.

Trend Summary

Rory has seen a steady increase in popularity in the United States over the past few decades.

Similar Names

CoryDoryToryZoryJoryMoryStory

Variants

  • Rorey
  • Rori

International Variants

  • Rúairí (Irish)
  • Rory (Scottish)

Famous people named Rory

Rory McIlroy is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland, known for winning multiple major championships.

Rory Williams is a character from the television series 'Doctor Who', known for being a companion to the Doctor.

Rory Culkin is an American actor recognized for his roles in films such as 'Signs' and 'Gabriel'.

Rory Stewart is a British politician and author, known for his work in international development and as a former member of Parliament.

Fictional characters named Rory

Rory Gilmore is a character from the television series 'Gilmore Girls', known for her academic achievements and relationships.

Rory the Racing Car is a character from the children's television series, known for his adventures in a racing environment.

Sibling Suggestions

RyanRonanRileyReidRubenRocco

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rory was first seen in the United States in 1933. Rory has ranked as high as #381 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Rory has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Rory (1961)

StateBirthsShare
CA 73
18%
NY 35
8%
IL 29
7%
WI 29
7%
IA 26
6%
MN 20
5%
OH 18
4%
MI 17
4%
LA 16
4%
WA 14
3%
PA 13
3%
FL 13
3%
IN 12
3%
CO 10
2%
MO 9
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19335
19395
19407
194110
194216
194314
194414
194520
194636
194773
1948122
1949150
1950163
1951134
1952163
1953214
1954297
1955375
1956511
1957476
1958486
1959803
1960637
1961506
1962508
1963386
1964366
1965353
1966255
1967202
1968171
1969351
1970281
1971204
1972187
1973131
1974167
1975160
1976241
1977537
1978419
1979342
1980355
1981426
1982735
1983535
1984549
1985502
1986444
1987390
1988406
1989395
1990374
1991333
1992273
1993228
1994223
1995204
1996242
1997240
1998302
1999287
2000290
2001236
2002258
2003316
2004264
2005283
2006246
2007260
2008281
2009303
2010304
2011413
2012564
2013610
2014748
2015853
2016828
2017862
2018884
2019924
2020996
20211,135
20221,228
20231,446
20241,594