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Unisex

Rory

ˈrɔr.i

Red king

Irish

How to say it

RO · ry

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.

How to spell Rory

The standard spelling is Rory. Common variants include Ruairí, Ruaidhrí, but Rory is the most widely used form.

Popularity over time

#10 #100 #1000 #1 #730518802025

Feminine: peaked at #230 in 2025, currently #230 in 2025.

Masculine: peaked at #199 in 2025, currently #199 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

    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

Common questions

What does the name Rory mean?
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.
What does Rory mean in Irish?
In Irish, Rory means "Red king." 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.
How do you pronounce Rory?
Rory is pronounced ˈrɔr.i. Say it as RO-ry, with the stress on the "ro" syllable.
How do you spell Rory?
The standard spelling is Rory. Common spelling variants include Ruairí, Ruaidhrí.
Is Rory a boy or girl name?
Rory is used for both boys and girls.
How popular is the name Rory?
Rory ranked #230 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.