Rory

Rory is a boy name of Irish origin, meaning Red king.

What Rory means

Red king.

Rory is short — 4 letters, and ends on a consonant, which gives it a firmer stop.

Where Rory comes from

Irish names come from the Gaelic tradition, and most of the familiar spellings are anglicisations of older forms. The original often looks nothing like the version in common use today.

Rory is recorded as Irish in origin. Browse other Irish names.

How popular is Rory?

Rory is not in the current top 100 boy names we track. In practice that means a child called Rory is unlikely to be one of three in a classroom — the name is established and recognisable, just not in heavy circulation right now.

The character of Rory

Rory spans royalty and rule and Color, which is why it can read differently depending on which association you notice first. Both threads are worth following.

Themes: Royal, Color

Names like Rory

These share Rory's themes, origin, or both — closest first.

  • Ruairi — Red king.
  • Rowan — Little red one; the rowan tree.
  • Rian — Little king.
  • Brendan — Prince; little raven.
  • Conn — Chief; high one.
  • Flynn — Son of the red-haired one.
  • Tiernan — Little lord.
  • Riona — Queenly.
  • Aine — Radiance; queen of the fairies.
  • Maeve — She who intoxicates; queen.
  • Orla — Golden princess.
  • Orlaith — Golden princess.

More Irish names

  • Ronan — Little seal.
  • Rowan — Little red one; the rowan tree.
  • Roisin — Little rose.
  • Ruairi — Red king.
  • Riona — Queenly.
  • Sadhbh — Sweetness and goodness.
  • Riley — Courageous and valiant.
  • Saoirse — Freedom, liberty.
  • Rian — Little king.
  • Seamus — Supplanter; one who follows.