Roy

Meaning of Roy

Roy comes from the Gaelic word 'ruadh,' which means 'red.' It was often used to describe someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

Roy has Scottish/Gaelic roots — browse every Scottish/Gaelic baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Roy

Roy is climbing again, up to #525 in 2025 from #541 in 2024 after peaking at #399 in 2000.

Notable people named Roy

• Roy Rogers
  Singing cowboy and actor
• Roy Orbison
  Singer-songwriter and musician
• Roy Jones Jr.
  Professional boxer and commentator
• Roy Scheider
  Actor (Jaws, The French Connection)
• Roy Acuff
  Country music singer

More Scottish/Gaelic names

Questions about the name Roy

What does the name Roy mean?

Roy means roy comes from the gaelic word 'ruadh,' which means 'red.' it was often used to describe someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion, and it comes from Scottish/Gaelic origins.

Is Roy a boy's or a girl's name?

Roy is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Roy?

In 2025, Roy ranked #525 for boys, up from #541 the year before.

When was Roy most popular?

Roy peaked at #399 in 2000.