Rory is a given name of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicisation of the ga, Ruairí/''Ruaidhrí'' and gd, Ruairidh and is common to the Irish, Highland Scots and their diasporas. for the given name "Rory". The meaning of the name is "red king", composed of ''ruadh'' ("red") and ''rígh'' ("king"). In Ireland and Scotland, it is generally seen as a masculine name and therefore rarely given to females.

History

An early use of the name in

antiquity Antiquity or Antiquities may refer to: Historical objects or periods Artifacts *Antiquities, objects or artifacts surviving from ancient cultures Eras Any period before the European Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries) but still within the histo ...

is in reference to Rudraige mac Sithrigi, a

High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ga, Ardrí na hÉireann ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and later sometimes assigned ana ...

who eventually spawned the Ulaid (indeed, this tribe are sometimes known as ''Clanna Rudhraighe''). Throughout the Middle Ages, the name was in use by various kings, such as

Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin (died 785) was a King of Leinster of the Uí Fáeláin sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Fáelán mac Murchado (died 738), a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Naas in the east ...

, Ruaidrí na Saide Buide and Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, the last High King of Ireland. As well as this, Ruairí Óg Ó Mórdha, the famous King of Laois, and his nephew Ruairí Ó Mórdha, who was a leader in the

Irish Rebellion of 1641 The Irish Rebellion of 1641 ( ga, Éirí Amach 1641) was an uprising by Irish Catholics in the Kingdom of Ireland, who wanted an end to anti-Catholic discrimination, greater Irish self-governance, and to partially or fully reverse the plantatio ...

, held the name. Rory has seen increasing use in females since the 1960s, especially in the United States. One notable example is Rory Kennedy (b. 1968), daughter of Robert F. Kennedy. It can alternatively be a nickname for "Aurora" or " Lorelai".

Variations

The standard Scottish Gaelic pronunciation is , and in Munster Irish . In English, it is typically pronounced as (). In Classical Gaelic, the name was written Ruaidhrigh, and in Old Irish Ruaidríg /ruaðʲr͈ʲiːʝʲ/ (Proto Celtic *roudo-riks). There are numerous other recorded variations of the name such as Ruaidrí, Ruaidhrí, Ruairdhrí, Rhuairidh, Ruaridh, Rhuari, Rhuaridh, Ruarídh, Ruarí, Roighrí, Rauridh or Raighrí. Historically, it has also been anglicised by replacement with the Germanic name Roderick, of similar meaning (leader) and in some cases the also etymologically unrelated names Roger and

Ray Ray may refer to: Fish * Ray (fish), any cartilaginous fish of the superorder Batoidea * Ray (fish fin anatomy), a bony or horny spine on a fin Science and mathematics * Ray (geometry), half of a line proceeding from an initial point * Ray (g ...

List of people

Ruaidrí

(died 785), King of Leinster of the Uí Fáeláin sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin * Ruaidrí ua Canannáin (died 950), king of the Cenél Conaill, and according to some sources High King of Ireland * Ruaidrí na Saide Buide (died 1118), called Ruaidrí na Saide Buide (Ruaidrí of the Yellow Birch), King of Connacht * Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, 12th century King of Connacht and the last High King of Ireland * Ruaidri mac Cathal Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht in Ireland * Ruaidri mac Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht, died 1384 *Ruaidri Caech mac Diarmata (1404–1421), see Kings of Magh Luirg *Ruaidri Óg mac Diarmata (1478–1486), see Kings of Magh Luirg *Ruaidri mac Diarmata (1549–1568), see Kings of Magh Luirg

Ruaidhrí

* Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill (died 1247?), Hebridean magnate * Ruaidhrí Mac Ruaidhrí (died 1318?), Scottish magnate * Ruaidhri Ó Cianáin (died 1387), Irish historian * Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh (1629–1716/18), Irish historian * Rúaidhrí de Valera (1916–1978), Irish archaeologist *

Rúaidhrí Conroy Rúaidhrí Conroy (born 30 November 1979 in Dublin) is an Irish actor. He is the son of actor Brendan Conroy. One of his first castings was as Tito (and not Tayto as commonly misconceived) in the 1992 film '' Into the West'', for which he won ...

(born 1979), Irish actor * Ruaidhrí Higgins (born 1984), midfielder playing with Derry City F.C. in the League of Ireland * Ruaidhri Smith (born 1994), Scottish cricketer

Ruairí

* Ruairí Mac Easmainn (1864–1916), Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary and nationalist * Ruairí Brugha (1917–2006), Irish politician * Ruairí Ó Brádaigh (1932–2013), Irish Republican Army member * Ruairí O'Connor (born 1991), Irish actor *

Ruairí Quinn Ruairi Quinn (born 2 April 1946) is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as Minister for Education and Skills from 2011 to 2014, Leader of the Labour Party from 1997 to 2002, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1989 to 1997, ...

(born 1946), Irish politician * Ruairí Robinson (born 1978), Academy Award-nominated Irish film director and writer * Ruairí McKiernan (born 1977), Irish social activist

Ruaraidh

* Ruaraidh Erskine (1869–1960), Scottish nationalist

Ruairidh

Ruairidh MacIlleathain Ruairidh MacIlleathain is a Scottish Gaelic broadcaster and author with an interest in Gaelic learners. He edited the learner's newsletter '' Cothrom'' (published by Clì Gàidhlig) and hosts the radio shows ''Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh'' and ''An ...

, Scottish Gaelic broadcaster * Ruairidh Greenwood (born 1992), Scottish curler

Ruaridh

* Ruaridh Jackson (born 1988), Scottish rugby union player *

Ruaridh McConnochie Ruaridh McConnochie (born 23 October 1991) is a Scottish rugby union player. He was a member of the silver medal winning team in Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and a full England International, making his debut against Italy at St Jam ...

(born 1991), English rugby union player * Ruaridh MacKenzie (born 1994), Scottish rugby union player * Ruaridh Arrow (born 1980), British film-maker

Rory

Male

* Rory Anderson (born 1992), American football player *

Rory Barnes Rory Barnes (born 1946) is an Australian writer of popular fiction. Although born in London, he has lived most of his life in Australia. Bibliography *''Valencies'' (1983 with Damien Broderick) *''The Bomb-Monger's Daughter'' (1984) *''Water F ...

(born 1946), Australian writer * Rory Best (born 1982), Irish rugby union footballer * Rory Boulding (born 1988), English footballer * Rory Brady (1957–2010), Irish lawyer * Rory Bremner (born 1961), Scottish comedian *

Rory Brennan Rory Brennan (born 1945) is an Irish poet, born in Westport, County Mayo County Mayo (; ga, Contae Mhaigh Eo, meaning "Plain of the Taxus baccata, yew trees") is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. In the West ...

(born 1945), Irish poet *

Rory Brien Rory is a given name of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicisation of the ga, Ruairí/''Ruaidhrí'' and gd, Ruairidh and is common to the Irish, Highland Scots and their diasporas. for the given name "Rory". The meaning of the name is "red king", ...

(born 1991), rugby league footballer * Rory Burns (born 1990), English cricketer * Rory Byrne (born 1944), South African racing car designer * Rory Calhoun (1922–1999), American actor * Rory Carroll (born 1972), Irish journalist * Rory Cellan-Jones (born 1958), British journalist * Rory Cochrane (born 1972), American actor * Rory Collins (born 1955), epidemiologist *

Rory Enrique Conde Rory Enrique Conde (born June 14, 1965), a.k.a. "The Tamiami Trail Strangler", is a Colombian-born serial killer who killed six prostitutes in Florida, U.S. over a span of 5 months from September 1994 to January 1995. He was sentenced to deat ...

(born 1965), Colombian serial killer * Rory Culkin (born 1989), American actor * Rory Delap (born 1976), Irish football player * Rory Dodd, Canadian rock vocalist * Rory Fairweather-Neylan (born 1987), Australian ballet dancer * Rory Fallon (born 1982), New Zealand football player *

Rory Feely Rory Michael Feely (born 3 January 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for EFL League Two club Barrow. He previously played for Bohemians after two spells at St Patrick's Athletic where he started his professional career, having ...

(born 1997), Irish association football player * Rory Fitzpatrick (born 1975), American ice hockey player * Rory Gallagher (1948–1995), Irish musician * Rory Hamilton-Brown (born 1987), English cricketer * Rory Jacob (born 1983), Irish hurler * Rory Jennings (born 1983), British actor *

Rory Johnson Rory L. Johnson (born March 15, 1986) is an American football linebacker who is currently playing for the Berlin Rebels in the German Football League (GFL). He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played c ...

(born 1986), American football player * Rory Jones (born 1955), South African football player * Rory Kiely (1934–2018), Irish politician * Rory Kinnear (born 1978), English actor *

Rory Kockott Rory Kockott (born 25 June 1986) is a South African-born French professional rugby union player who plays for Castres in France's Top 14 and has played for the France national team. He was born in East London, South Africa, and qualified to pla ...

(born 1986), South African rugby player representing France internationally * Rory Lamont (born 1982), Scottish rugby player * Rory Lawson (born 1981), Scottish international rugby union player * Rory Lee Feek (born 1966), American country music singer and songwriter * Rory Leidelmeyer, American bodybuilder * Rory Loy (born 1988), Scottish footballer * Rory Macdonald (conductor) (born 1980), Scottish conductor * Rory MacDonald (fighter) (born 1989), Canadian professional mixed martial artist * Rory Macdonald (musician) (born 1949), Scottish bassist * Rory MacGregor (born 1976), British actor * Rory MacLean (born 1954), Canadian writer * Rory Makem (born 1969) Irish-American musician * Rory Markas (1955–2010), American sportscaster * Rory Markham (born 1982), American mixed martial artist * Rory McCann (born 1969), Scottish actor * Rory McEwen (politician) (born 1948), Australian politician *

Rory McEwen (artist) Roderick McEwen (12 March 1932 – 16 October 1982), known as Rory McEwen, was a Scottish artist and musician. Early life and education Roderick McEwen was the fourth of seven children born to Sir John Helias Finnie McEwen and Lady Bridget ...

(1932–1982), Scottish artist and musician *

Rory McGrath Patrick Rory McGrath (born 17 March 1956) is a British comedian, television personality, and writer. He came to prominence in the comedy show ''Who Dares Wins'' and was a regular panellist on the game show ''They Think It's All Over'' for many ...

(born 1956), English comedian *

Rory McIlroy Rory Daniel McIlroy (born 4 May 1989) is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who is a member of both the European and PGA Tours. He is the current world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, and has spent over 100 weeks in tha ...

(born 1989), Northern Irish golfer * Rory McLeod (singer-songwriter) (born 1957), English singer-songwriter * Rory McLeod (snooker player) (born 1971), English professional snooker player * Rory McTurk, British philologist * Rory O'Connor (Irish republican) (1883–1922), Irish republican activist * Rory O'Hanlon (born 1934), Irish politician * Rory O'Malley (born 1980), Broadway actor * Rory (Roger) O'Moore (1620–1655), Irish rebel * Rory O'Tunny (c. 1541–1542), Irish sculptor * Rory Peck (1956–1993), British journalist * Rory Reid (born 1963), American politician * Rory Sabbatini (born 1976), South African golfer * Rory J Saper (born 1996), English actor * Rory Schlein (born 1984), Australian speedway rider * Rory Singer (born 1976), American mixed martial artist * Rory Sparrow (born 1958), American basketball player * Rory Smith (born 1987), Canadian lacrosse player * Rory Steele (born 1943), Australian author * Rory Stewart (born 1973), British politician, diplomat and author * Rory Storm (1938–1972), English musician * Rory Sutherland (born 1982), Australian racing cyclist * Rory Underwood (born 1963), English rugby player *

Rory Watson Rory Watson (born 5 February 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as goalkeeper for Wrexham. Watson played youth football with Leeds United and Hull City, signing a professional contract with the latter in June 2014. He had loa ...

(born 1996), English footballer

Female

* Aurora 'Rory' Block (born 1949), American blues guitarist and singer * Ellen "Rory" Flack (born 1971), American figure skater * Rory Kennedy (born 1968), American filmmaker *

Rory Quintos Rory B. Quintos (born October 31, 1962) is a Filipino people, Filipino television and film director. She graduated from the University of the Philippines UP Diliman, major in broadcasting. She began a career in television where she successively s ...

(born 1962), Filipino television and film director

Characters

Male characters

*Brother Rua in the film Pilgrimage *Rory in the Australian children's television series '' Little Lunch'' *Rory in the book series The Hunger Games *Rory in the film/television series '' My Babysitter's a Vampire'' * Rory Adams in the movie '' Life'' *Rory Breaker in the movie '' Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'' *Rory Campbell in the Marvel Comics Universe *Roary in the television show

Roary the Racing Car ''Roary the Racing Car'' (stylised as ''ROARY: The Racing Car'') is a British-stop-motion children's television series created by David Jenkins and produced by Chapman Entertainment and Cosgrove Hall Films. It follows the adventures of Roar ...

*Ruairí Donovan in the British radio soap opera '' The Archers'' *Ruairi, a central character in the

MMORPG A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a video game that combines aspects of a role-playing video game and a massively multiplayer online game. As in role-playing games (RPGs), the player assumes the role of a Player charac ...

Mabinogi, appearing in the introductory storyline and several others subsequently. * Rory Finnigan in the television series '' Hollyoaks'' * Rory Flanagan in the television series ''

Glee Glee means delight, a form of happiness. Glee may also refer to: * Glee (music), a type of English choral music * ''Glee'' (TV series), an American musical comedy-drama TV series, and related media created by Ryan Murphy * ''Glee'' (Bran Van 30 ...

'' * Rory Hennessy in the television series ''

8 Simple Rules ''8 Simple Rules'' (originally ''8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter'') is an American sitcom television series originally starring John Ritter and Katey Sagal as middle-class parents Paul and Cate Hennessy, raising their three chi ...

'' *Rory Jansen in the movie '' The Words'' * Rory Murdoch in the television series '' River City'' *Rory O'Shea in the movie ''

Inside I'm Dancing ''Inside I'm Dancing'', also released under the title ''Rory O'Shea Was Here'', is an 2004 Irish comedy-drama film directed by Damien O'Donnell and starring James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, and Brenda Fricker. The film revolves aroun ...

'' *Rory Peters in the movie '' Final Destination 2'' * Rory Regan, '' Ragman'' in the DC Comics Universe *Rory Slippery in the television series '' Fortysomething'' * Rory Williams in the television series ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...

'' * Rory Walker in the movie '' The Conjuring'' *

Rory Browne Rory is a given name of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicisation of the ga, Ruairí/''Ruaidhrí'' and gd, Ruairidh and is common to the Irish, Highland Scots and their diasporas. for the given name "Rory". The meaning of the name is "red king", ...

in the books of the saga of Agnes Browne (''The Mammy'', ''The Chisellers'', ''The Granny'' and ''The Young Wan'') by Brendan O'Carroll *Rory in the former Disney video game '' Club Penguin''

Female characters

* Lorelai "Rory" Gilmore in the television series '' Gilmore Girls'' * Rory Mercury in the anime and light novel series ''

Gate A gate or gateway is a point of entry to or from a space enclosed by walls. The word derived from old Norse "gat" meaning road or path; But other terms include ''yett and port''. The concept originally referred to the gap or hole in the wall ...

.'' * Aurora "Rory" Morningstar, from the series "Lucifer."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rory (Given Name) Irish masculine given names Scottish Gaelic masculine given names Scottish masculine given names