Find out how popular the first name Rori has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rori by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rori is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Rori being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 136 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Rori.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby boys were named Rori in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Rori

The name Rori is believed to have originated from the Scottish Gaelic language, where it was likely a diminutive form of the name Roderick or Rory. The name Roderick itself derives from the Germanic elements "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ric" meaning "power" or "ruler." It's thought that Rori first came into use as a nickname or pet form of Roderick in the medieval period, particularly in Scotland and Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rori can be found in the 15th-century Scottish text "The Brus" by John Barbour, where a character named Rori or Rory is mentioned. The name also appears in various historical records and documents from the 16th and 17th centuries in Scotland and Ireland.

In terms of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Rori, one example is Rori MacDonald (c. 1580-1636), a Scottish military leader who fought in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Another is Rori O'Cahan (c. 1590-1655), an Irish chieftain and landowner in County Derry, Ireland.

Moving forward in time, we have Rori Gillies (1767-1842), a Scottish poet and songwriter from the Isle of Mull. In the 19th century, there was also Rori MacLeod (1828-1899), a Scottish poet and writer from the Isle of Skye.

Lastly, a more recent historical figure with the name Rori is Rori Holah (1935-2008), a New Zealand artist and sculptor of Māori descent, known for his wood carvings and sculptures.

While the name Rori may have evolved from the more common Roderick or Rory, it has its own distinct history and usage, particularly in Scottish and Irish contexts over the centuries. The name's enduring presence in historical records and among notable individuals highlights its cultural significance within these regions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rori was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rori, please contact us.

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