Roy Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Roy is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Roy?
Roy is spelled R-O-Y. The name has 3 letters.
Roy at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- The name “Roy” derives from the Old French word “roi,” meaning “king.”
- Origin
- The name “Roy” may derive from Old French and is commonly associated with royalty or leadership roles in medieval Europe.
- Pronunciation
- roy · 1 syllable
Roy Popularity in 2025
Rank#525
Recorded Births570
- Boys usage rose 16 places to #525 and recorded 17 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Roy Mean?
The name “Roy” derives from the Old French word “roi,” meaning “king.”
Origin: The name “Roy” may derive from Old French and is commonly associated with royalty or leadership roles in medieval Europe.
How Do You Pronounce Roy?
Pronunciationroy
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Roy?
- History
- Historically, “Roy” has been used as both a given name and a surname, often indicating a person of royal or noble status in French-speaking regions.
Roy Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2004 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 570 | #525 |
| 2024 | Boys | 553 | #541 |
| 2023 | Boys | 526 | #556 |
| 2022 | Girls | 5 | #15,306 |
| 2022 | Boys | 509 | #576 |
| 2021 | Boys | 521 | #551 |
| 2020 | Boys | 487 | #572 |
| 2019 | Boys | 494 | #565 |
| 2018 | Boys | 520 | #541 |
| 2017 | Boys | 531 | #533 |
| 2016 | Boys | 539 | #540 |
| 2015 | Girls | 7 | #13,006 |
| 2015 | Boys | 534 | #533 |
| 2014 | Boys | 525 | #530 |
| 2013 | Boys | 508 | #524 |
| 2012 | Boys | 466 | #558 |
| 2011 | Boys | 443 | #566 |
| 2010 | Boys | 457 | #553 |
| 2009 | Boys | 473 | #557 |
| 2008 | Boys | 552 | #496 |
| 2007 | Boys | 536 | #495 |
| 2006 | Boys | 599 | #451 |
| 2005 | Boys | 531 | #470 |
| 2004 | Boys | 543 | #466 |
When Was Roy Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1947 · Boys
7,560 recorded births
National rank #48
1948 · Boys
7,067 recorded births
National rank #49
1943 · Boys
6,932 recorded births
National rank #38
1946 · Boys
6,925 recorded births
National rank #43
Where Roy Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MT | #149 | 9 |
| NH | #230 | 5 |
| NM | #311 | 6 |
| NE | #377 | 6 |
| ID | #377 | 6 |
| IA | #399 | 8 |
| WA | #403 | 18 |
| UT | #409 | 11 |