Rory

Rory is a given name of Irish origin, commonly a diminutive of the Gaelic Ruairí or Ruaidhrí. Ruaidhrí is formed from the elements ruadh, meaning “red,” and rí, meaning “king,” and the name is often rendered in English as “red-haired king” or “red king.” In English-speaking contexts, Rory has become an independent given name, used primarily for males in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and North America, and it is occasionally used for females.

Rory is less common as a surname. When it occurs as a last name, it is typically an Anglicized form of Gaelic names such as Ó Ruairc (O’Rourke) or Ruaidhrí, and may reflect ancestral connections to Gaelic-speaking regions.

Notable people and characters named Rory include Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish professional golfer and multiple major winner; Rory Gallagher, the Northern Irish blues-rock guitarist; Rory Bremner, the Scottish comedian and impressionist; Rory Culkin, the American actor; Rory Kennedy, the American documentary filmmaker; Rory Cochrane, the American actor; and the fictional Rory Gilmore from the television series Gilmore Girls. The name’s usage continues in contemporary literature, film, and sports, reflecting its enduring presence in Irish and broader Anglophone culture.