Rory

How to say it

/ˈrɔr.i/

What it means

Anglicized Irish Ruairí, from rua ('red') + rí ('king'). Ruairí Ó Conchobhair was the last High King of Ireland (1166-1198). Gilmore Girls's Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel, 2000-2007) gave the name a major US feminine anchor.

Rory comes from the Irish Ruairí (or Ruaidhrí), built on rua ('red') + rí ('king') — so 'red king' or 'red-haired king.' Ruairí Ó Conchobhair (Rory O'Connor, 1116-1198) was the last High King of Ireland before the Norman conquest. The name was masculine in Ireland for a thousand years; Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) flipped Rory to a feminine name in US usage with Lorelai 'Rory' Gilmore (Alexis Bledel, named for her mother). Rory McIlroy (the Northern Irish golfer) holds the masculine line. The name is now genuinely unisex in the US. It's been in the US top 300 since 2018.

Heads-up notes

• Pop culture

  Gilmore Girls's Rory Gilmore made the name feminine for a generation of US viewers; Rory McIlroy the golfer holds the masculine line.

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.

• Rory O'Connor Ruairí Ó Conchobhair, last High King of Ireland, 1116-1198
• Rory Gilmore Alexis Bledel's character in Gilmore Girls, 2000-2007
• Rory McIlroy Northern Irish golfer, four-time major champion

Spelling variants

• Ruairí
• Ruaidhrí

Names with the same feeling

• Riley Courageous, valiant
• Rowan Little red one, rowan tree
• Ronan Little seal
• Owen Young warrior, or 'well-born'
• Finn Fair, white

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