How to say it
mon · ROE
mənˈroʊ
Feminine
Monroe
Mouth of the Roe
What it means
A Scottish surname meaning 'mouth of the River Roe,' now used as a first name.
Monroe is a Scottish surname meaning 'mouth of the River Roe,' in Ireland, where the clan's ancestors once lived. It carries instant glamour through Marilyn Monroe and a presidential note through James Monroe. Once mostly a boys' name, it now leans female, picked by celebrities for daughters. Roe and Monnie are shorts.
How to spell Monroe
The standard spelling is Monroe. Common variants include Munroe, Monro, Munro, but Monroe is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #467 in 2025, currently #467 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Marilyn Monroe; President James Monroe.
- Worth knowing
A surname name that now leans female.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Marilyn Monroe American actress and model, an icon of 1950s Hollywood
- James Monroe fifth President of the United States
Spelling variants
- Munroe
- Monro
- Munro
Names with the same feeling
See Monroe from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Monroe mean?
- A Scottish surname meaning 'mouth of the River Roe,' now used as a first name.
- What does Monroe mean in Scottish?
- In Scottish, Monroe means "Mouth of the Roe." Monroe is a Scottish surname meaning 'mouth of the River Roe,' in Ireland, where the clan's ancestors once lived. It carries instant glamour through Marilyn Monroe and a presidential note through James Monroe. Once mostly a boys' name, it now leans female, picked by celebrities for daughters. Roe and Monnie are shorts.
- How do you pronounce Monroe?
- Monroe is pronounced mənˈroʊ. Say it as mon-ROE, with the stress on the "roe" syllable.
- How do you spell Monroe?
- The standard spelling is Monroe. Common spelling variants include Munroe, Monro, Munro.
- Is Monroe a boy or girl name?
- Monroe is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Monroe?
- Monroe ranked #467 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.