"mouth of the River Roe"
Origin: Gaelic/Scottish
Language: Scottish Gaelic
Monroe
Pronunciation: [ m-uhnr-OH ]
Does Monroe flow with your last name?
Old Hollywood glamour meets American presidential gravitas
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Irish
American
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"from the bogs near the Roe river"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Marilyn Monroe — an asset for many, but the name carries the tragic glamour of her life story
The Story of Monroe
Monroe is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from 'Munroe', meaning 'mouth of the River Roe' — referring to a geographical feature in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, where the River Roe meets Lough Foyle. The Munro/Monroe family migrated from Ireland to Scotland, and many emigrated to North America, where the name became prominent through President James Monroe and the icon Marilyn Monroe.
Monroe became a popular girl's name in the 2010s, part of the presidential-surname trend (alongside Kennedy, Reagan, and Madison) combined with the glamour of Marilyn Monroe. Mariah Carey naming her daughter Monroe in 2011 was a significant boost. It sits at the intersection of old-Hollywood glamour and American presidential heritage.
Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) transformed Monroe into a symbol of dazzling femininity, vulnerability, and tragic beauty. James Monroe (1758-1831) gave it presidential gravitas. Together these associations make Monroe a name that evokes two very different but equally powerful American archetypes of the 20th century.
Historical Record
Monroe first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 6,589 babies have been named Monroe in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Monroe is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #571 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson and chose Monroe — her mother's maiden name — as her stage name
- President James Monroe authored the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, warning European powers against colonization in the Americas
- Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon named their daughter Monroe Cannon in 2011
Monroe in Other Languages
Irish
Munroe
French
Monroe
English
Monroe
Spanish
Monroe
Scottish
Munro
Popularity Over Time
#571
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Monroe
M
Marilyn Monroe
Actor
1926
American actress and cultural icon, one of the most photographed women of the 20th century, known for Some Like It Hot
J
James Monroe
Politician
1758
5th President of the United States, last Founding Father to be president, author of the Monroe Doctrine
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Compare Monroe with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #571
- Total SSA Count
- 529
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish Irish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Roe
Monnie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Monroe
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Monroe is also used as a boy name, ranked #1282.
View Monroe as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Monroe →Compare Monroe with...
Same Origin Names (Scottish)
See all Scottish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Monroe
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"noble natured"
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Old French origin
"ivory white"
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Modern American variant origin
"beloved, favored"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Monroe
What does the name Monroe mean?
"mouth of the River Roe" (from Gaelic/Scottish). "from the bogs near the Roe river" (from Irish Gaelic). Monroe is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from 'Munroe', meaning 'mouth of the River Roe' — referring to a geographical feature in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, where the River Roe meets Lough Foyle. The Munro/Monroe family migrated from Ireland to Scotland, and many emigrated to North America, where the name became prominent through President James Monroe and the icon Marilyn Monroe.
What is the origin of the name Monroe?
Monroe has Gaelic/Scottish, Irish Gaelic, Scottish, Irish, and American origins. In Gaelic/Scottish, it means "mouth of the River Roe". In Irish Gaelic, it means "from the bogs near the Roe river".
Is Monroe a boy or girl name?
Monroe is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #571. As a boy name, it is ranked #1282. Monroe is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Monroe?
Monroe is pronounced m-uhnr-OH.
How popular is the name Monroe?
Monroe is currently ranked #571 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Monroe?
Common nicknames for Monroe include Roe and Monnie.
What are good middle names for Monroe?
Popular middle name pairings include Monroe Grace, Monroe Rose, Monroe Lee, Monroe Blair, Monroe June, Monroe Faye, and Monroe Sloane.
What are good sibling names for Monroe?
Names that pair well with Monroe as siblings include Lennox, Presley, Jagger, Bowie, Lennon, Sloane, and Marlowe.
How many syllables does Monroe have?
Monroe has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Monroe a common or rare name?
Monroe is moderately common, ranked #571 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Monroe
Monroe is a girl name with Scottish, Irish, and American origins . The name means "mouth of the River Roe" in Gaelic/Scottish .
Is Monroe a boy or girl name? Monroe is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #571 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,282. Monroe is more commonly used as a girl name.
Monroe is currently ranked #571 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Monroe has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-uhnr-OH, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Monroe include Roe and Monnie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis