Ruaidhe

Ruaidhe is a Gaelic-derived personal name, most commonly encountered as an alternative spelling of Ruaidhrí, a traditional Irish given name. It is occasionally used as a surname in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, though the spelling Ruaidhe is comparatively rare today.

Etymology: The name Ruaidhe traces to Old Irish Ruaidhrí, formed from ruad "red" and rí "king," traditionally interpreted as "red king" or "famous king." The variant Ruaidhe reflects orthographic shifts and Anglicization practices in later periods.

Usage and history: The given name Ruaidhrí has long been borne by Irish rulers, clerics, and scholars; in modern times, Ruaidhe appears sporadically in genealogical records and personal-name registries. Most English-language texts standardize the name as Ruaidhrí or Rory; Ruaidhe is more likely to occur in family-name spellings or as a deliberate archaism.

Distribution and contemporary status: Concentrations are in Ireland and among Irish communities abroad; outside of heritage contexts, the spelling Ruaidhe is uncommon. The name is generally male in origin, though usage varies by era and community.

See also: Ruaidhrí, Rory, Red King.