The name Rory is of Irish origin and means "red king." It is derived from the ancient Irish name Ruaidhri, which was borne by several historical figures, including the High King of Ireland, Rory II O'Connor (Ruaidhrí Ua Conchobair). The name has been popular throughout history in Ireland and Scotland, and today it is used as both a boy's name and a girl's name in English-speaking countries. Despite its popularity, Rory remains a unique and distinctive name with a rich historical heritage.
The name Rory has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were only 41 births with the name Rory in 1947, and this number fluctuated between 12 and 53 births per year until the late 1990s.
However, starting from the year 2000, there was a notable rise in the number of babies named Rory. The total number of births with this name increased to 85 in the year 2000, and it has continued to grow steadily ever since. By 2023, the most recent year for which data is available, there were 1005 births registered with the name Rory.
This trend suggests that the name Rory has become more popular among parents in the United States in recent years. This could be due to various factors such as the influence of pop culture, the desire for unique and unconventional names, or simply because the name Rory is seen as appealing and timeless. Regardless of the reasons behind this increase in popularity, it is clear that Rory has become a more common choice among parents naming their children in recent years.