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Rory

Irish
"red king"
Brynn McKeon
By Brynn McKeon
Updated Mon Apr 22 2024

Rory Origin and Meaning

The name Rory is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning "red king".

This spirited Gaelic classic, which became popular in Ireland via the illustrious twelfth century king Rory O'Connor, makes a highly energetic choice, now used for either sex. Rory's gender split is still trending boyward; it's one of the coolest boys' names starting with R.

In England and Wales, however, the name is virtually never given to girls. It's seen as thoroughly male (and non-female) as Roger or Richard.

Rory first came to attention in the US in the person of mid-century pin-up boy Rory Calhoun (born Francis Timothy). The name entered the popularity list in 1947, peaking at Number 280 in 1959.

Young Irish U.S. Open champ Rory Mcllroy makes a worthy namesake. Bill and Melinda Gates chose Rory as the name of their only son.

Rory is a popular choice all throughout the UK. Skip baffling Gaelic spellings like Ruari and Ruaidhri and stick with the more straightforward Rory.

# 280 in the US

Rory Rank in US Top 1000

# 52 on Nameberry

Rory Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Rory Popularity

Famous People Named Rory

  • Rory McIlroyNorthern Irish golfer
  • Rory Storm (born Alan Caldwell)English singer of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes
  • Rory James O'MalleyAmerican actor
  • Rory CochraneAmerican actor
  • Rory Calhoun (born Francis Timothy McCown)American actor
  • Rory Hugh CulkinAmerican actor; brother of Macaulay and Kieran Culkin
  • Rory Brian FitzpatrickAmerican hockey player
  • Rory MarkasAmerican sportscaster
  • (William) Rory GallagherIrish blues,rock musician
  • Rory KinnearEnglish actor
  • Rory BestIrish rugby union player
  • Rory ByrneSouth African car designer
  • Rory John DelapEnglish,Irish footballer
  • Rory Jason ReidAmerican politician; son of former U.S. Speaker of the House Harry Reid
  • Rory John Gates (b. 1999)son of Microsoft's Bill and Melinda Gates
  • Rory Dartanyan Blackmore (b. 2012)son of musicians Richie Blackmore and Candice Night of Blackmore's Night
  • Rory McCannScottish actor (best known for playing Sandor “The Hound” Clegane on Game of Thrones)
  • Rory Zane RossAmerican actor
  • Rory DamesAmerican soccer coach

Rory in Pop Culture

  • Rory HawthorneGale's brother from "The Hunger Games"
  • Rory Pond (ne Williams)from "Doctor Who"
  • Rory Flanagancharacter on "Glee"
  • Rory Hennessycharacter from the sitcom "8 Simple Rules..."
  • Rory Slipperycharacter from "Fortysomething"
  • Rory Greenfrom movie "Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang"
  • Rory Keanercharacter from "My Babysitter's a Vampire"
  • Rory BrownCharacter from "Mrs Brown Boys"
  • Rorycharacter from TV's "Little Lunch"
  • Rory Regan aka Ragmancharacter on TV's "Arrow"
  • Rory Monahan from TV series "American Horror Story: Roanoke" portrayed by Evan Peters
  • Rory (spelled Roary) from TV's "Roary the Racing Car"
  • Rory Swanncharacter from the StarCraft series