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Ruairidh

Boy name · 1,573 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ruairidh: 1,573 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 84 births in 2024.

A Gaelic name with deep Highland roots, Ruairidh—often anglicised as Rory—means "red-haired king," from the Old Irish *ruad* ("red") and *rīg* ("king"). The most famous bearer abroad is likely the Irish pirate queen Gráinne Ní Mháille, whose father was Eoghan O'Malley, but the name is more historically linked to the Lords of the Isles, including Ruairidh mac Ailein, a 14th-century chief of Clan MacDonald. In modern Scotland, actor Rory Bremner shares the root, though he uses the anglicised form. The name's popularity has seen a steady rise since the 1990s, and it remains a steadfast choice for families honouring Gaelic heritage, particularly in the Hebrides where it never fell from use.