Rory

Americans basically imported the name Rory from Ireland in 1947. It started out as a boy’s name but officially went unisex when Rory showed up on the female naming charts in 2002 (politician Robert F. Kennedy named one of his daughters Rory in 1968 way before the name showed up on the Top 1000 list). For boys, Rory saw instant success after his 1947 debut on the charts (probably inspired by Rory Calhoun, a popular actor of the time). In fact, Rory reached as high as position #280 on the charts in 1959. The name peaked a second time in the late 1970s and early 1980s this time influenced by popular Irish blues-rock musician Rory Gallagher. Otherwise the name has experienced somewhat sporadic usage over the years. It’s getting another push up the male naming charts right now thanks to Rory McIlroy, currently the #1 golfer in the world. For girls, the name’s history is a bit different. Although heartthrob silver-screen idol Errol Flynn named his daughter Rory in 1947 and politician Robert F. Kennedy did the same in 1968, officially this name did not enter the female Top 1000 until much, much later in 2003 – not to mention it’s having trouble sticking to the charts (in other words, Rory for girls remains a rare name choice). Rory reminds us of another Irish name Ryan (“little king”) which Americans have made gender-neutral. The only complaint we have about Rory is that it’s sorta awkward to pronounce.