"red"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Scottish Gaelic
Roy
Pronunciation: [ r-OY ]
Does Roy flow with your last name?
A bold, royal one-syllable gem
English
Scottish
French
Hebrew
Strong
Gender Neutral
Royal
Short
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"king"
Origin: French
Language: French
"shepherd, friend"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Roy
Roy as a girl name draws from multiple traditions. From Celtic it means red, likely referring to red hair. From French it derives from roi meaning king, giving it royal connotations. In Hebrew tradition, Roy (רוֹי) carries meanings of shepherd or friend. As a gender-neutral name for girls, Roy carries a cool, confident energy.
Roy has historically been a boys name but is seeing a notable rise as a girls name in the 2010s and 2020s, part of the broader trend of masculine names being adopted for girls. Notable use in fiction, such as the character Roy in Ted Lasso, has also drawn attention to the name.
In Scottish culture, Roy has long been associated with red hair, a defining cultural characteristic. As a girls name, Roy represents the modern trend of parents choosing strong, short names that transcend traditional gender associations.
Historical Record
Roy first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 926 babies have been named Roy in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Roy is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #71,168 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Roy means king in Old French, making it subtly royal
- The name is increasingly popular for girls in the US, rising steadily since 2015
Roy in Other Languages
French
Roy
Hebrew
רוֹי
Spanish
Roy
Scottish Gaelic
Ruadh
Popularity Over Time
#71,168
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Roy with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #71,168
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- English Scottish French Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Roy
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Roy is also used as a boy name, ranked #542.
View Roy as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Roy →Compare Roy with...
Same Origin Names (English)
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Sinda
Girl
English diminutive origin
"variant of Cinda/Cindy"
#71,336 in US
Cornie
Girl
Old Germanic origin
"battle horn"
#71,296 in US
Carroll
Girl
Old Irish origin
"fierce in battle"
#71,302 in US
Clemence
Girl
Latin origin
"mercy, clemency"
#71,179 in US
Narcissa
Girl
Greek narkissos via Latin origin
"narcissus flower, sleep-inducing"
#71,267 in US
Maranda
Girl
Latin gerundive mirandus origin
"worthy of admiration"
#71,182 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Roy
What does the name Roy mean?
"red" (from Celtic). "king" (from French). "shepherd, friend" (from Hebrew). Roy as a girl name draws from multiple traditions. From Celtic it means red, likely referring to red hair. From French it derives from roi meaning king, giving it royal connotations. In Hebrew tradition, Roy (רוֹי) carries meanings of shepherd or friend. As a gender-neutral name for girls, Roy carries a cool, confident energy.
What is the origin of the name Roy?
Roy has Celtic, French, Hebrew, English, and Scottish origins. In Celtic, it means "red". In French, it means "king". In Hebrew, it means "shepherd, friend".
Is Roy a boy or girl name?
Roy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #71168. As a boy name, it is ranked #542. Roy is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Roy?
Roy is pronounced r-OY.
How popular is the name Roy?
Roy is currently ranked #71168 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Roy?
Popular middle name pairings include Roy Elizabeth, Roy Anne, Roy Grace, Roy Marie, and Roy Jane.
What are good sibling names for Roy?
Names that pair well with Roy as siblings include Blaine, Drew, Quinn, and Blake.
How many syllables does Roy have?
Roy has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Roy a common or rare name?
Roy is an uncommon name, ranked #71168 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Roy?
About the Name Roy
Roy is a girl name with English, Scottish, French, and Hebrew origins . The name means "red" in Celtic .
Is Roy a boy or girl name? Roy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #71,168 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #542. Roy is more commonly used as a boy name.
Roy is currently ranked #71,168 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Roy has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-OY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Roy include Royalty, Royal, Roya, Royale, Royalti . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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