Origin, Meaning, And History Of Rory
Rory is a popular gender-neutral name with Gaelic origin. It is a common name and is the English version of the Scottish Gaelic Ruairidh and Irish Ruairí/Ruaidhrí. The name carries the meaning ‘red king,’ composed of ruadh, meaning ‘red’ and rígh meaning ‘king.’ The name is used for boys in Ireland and Scotland and is therefore rarely given to girls. An early use of the name was the High King of Ireland in the 1100s who bravely fought Anglo-Norman invaders.
The name has seen increasing use among girls since the 1960s, especially in the US. The name is also used as a nickname for other feminine given names such as Aurora and Lorelai. In English, Rory is pronounced ‘rawr-EE.’ Like all words that end in a vowel, the stress is on the second syllable. The unisex name Rory has several Gaelic, Irish, Scottish, and Scandinavian variations such as Ruaidrí, Rhuairidh, Ruaidhrí, Ruaridh, Ruairdhrí, RhuariRuarídh, Ruarí, Roighrí, Rauridh, Rhuaridh, and Raighrí. Names such as Roderick, Roger, and Ray are also variations of Rory.
This spirited Gaelic name began to gain popularity in the 20th century outside of Ireland and Scotland. The name has remained on the top 1,000 names for girls in the US since the 1990s and remains a popular choice in other English speaking countries such as Australia.
The name has remained prominent in pop culture, thanks to the main character Lorelai Leigh ‘Rory’ Gilmore of the hit show Gilmore Girls. The name Rory also makes an appearance in the Hunger Games movie series. Rory Flanagan is one of the recurring characters on the hit TV show Glee. Aurora ‘Rory’ Morningstar portrayed by Brianna Hildebrand is the half-angel daughter of Lucifer and Chloe in the popular TV series Lucifer.
How To Pronounce Rory?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Rory in English.
Famous People With The Name Rory
- Rory Calhoun American television and film actor, known for his role in ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’
- Rory Daniel McIlroy MBEProfessional golfer from Northern Ireland and the former world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking
- Roderick Keith Ogilvy ‘Rory’ BremnerScottish impressionist and comedian, famous for his work in political satire and impressions of British public figures
- Rory Michael KinnearBritish actor of stage and screen, famous for his role Iago in Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ that won him an Olivier award
- William Rory GallagherIrish musician, songwriter, and producer who achieved widespread success as a solo artist selling more than 30 million records
Rory On The Popularity Chart
The name Derek has not had a consistent run in terms of popularity and ranking. These charts will help you get a better understanding of its growth over the years.
Popularity Over Time
The name Rory and its variations were popular in the 1980s. However, the name dropped in popularity for a long time until the 2010s when it slowly picked up. The name reached its peak popularity only in 2021.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name Rory witnessed a steady decline in ranks from its inception until 2007, following which it saw a rise in its ranking. Take a look at this graph to get a better understanding of the name’s rank over time.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Rory
If you like the name Rory, you’ll love these other names that sound similar to the unisex name. Have a look.
Popular Sibling Names For Rory
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Rory, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Rory
Find matching brother names for Rory and create a wonderful team of siblings.
Rarna
Rawiri Rayar Rayirth Rearden Rereloluwa Reyrobert Rhiryd Rhordan Riordan Girl Sibling Names For Rory
Looking for some suitable sister names for Rory? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
RaianaRhienne Rhylan Riana Riann Rianne Riannon Rianorix Richael Riegan Other Popular Names Beginning With R
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter R to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Rory
There are many other names that share the same meaning as Rory, exuding strength, confidence, and style. Find the names you like from the list below.
Infographic: Know The Name Rory‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Rory In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
rory
In Sign Language
rory
In Braille Alphabet
rory
In Morse Code
rory
Name Numerology For Rory
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Rory?
The name Rory means ‘red king.’
2. What is the origin of the name Rory?
Rory has a Gaelic origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Rory?
Rory is pronounced as ro-ry.
4. What are some middle names that go well with Rory?
Rory is a unisex name and tends to go well with gender-neutral English middle names of Irish origins. Names having similar origins, such as Aiden, Devon, Farrell, Kevin, and Shannon could make short yet pleasing combinations with Rory, besides aligning with a two-syllable rhyming scheme.
5. What is the historical significance of the name Rory?
Rory has rich historical and cultural significance in Irish history, as several kings bore the name. For instance, a well-known historical namesake is Rory O’Conor (English form of Ruaidrí mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair), one of the High Kings of Ireland and the King of Connacht, who signed the Treaty of Windsor with King Henry II of England (1).
6. What are some famous fictional characters named Rory?
Some notable fictional characters named Rory include Rory Gilmore of the American TV series ‘Gilmore Girl.’ Rory Regan, also known as Ragman, is a fictional superhero from the DC comics. Lastly, Rory Williams is a character from the popular British TV series ‘Doctor Who’.
References:
- Treaty of Windsor (1175).
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118885154.dipl0496
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