I was discussing names with some of my writerly friends and I mentioned that one name I’ve always wanted to use for a male character was [name_u]Rory[/name_u], which sparked a brief debate over whether that was a “girl’s” name or a “boy’s” name.
I know that [name_u]Rory[/name_u] was a popular female character on [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls and used as a nickname for [name_f]Lorelai[/name_f], which I love. But I think I love it more on a boy, and not even as a diminutive for anything. So I guess my question is can [name_u]Rory[/name_u] be used on a boy in this day and age? Or has pop culture put that one distinctly in the girls’ category? Or does it even matter? [name_m]Just[/name_m] curious to see what some other thoughts on this are because I’ve been thinking about it now for a while!
I like it more as a boys name. It seems more masculine to me. However I like it as a nickname for [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] and [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]. It definitely works for a boy!
I prefer it on a boy, but don’t mind it on a girl. They are definitely giving different vibes based on the gender though. In my mind [name_u]Rory[/name_u] the boy pairs well with siblings [name_m]Felix[/name_m] and [name_f]Thea[/name_f]. But [name_u]Rory[/name_u] the girl would have siblings [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] and [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m].
I grew up in school with a boy named [name_u]Rory[/name_u]. Now a man. I find it personally just half and half, it definitely can go either way easily.
I love [name_u]Rory[/name_u] for either gender. For a girl it does remind me of [name_f]Lorelai[/name_f] [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m], but for a boy it brings [name_u]Rory[/name_u] [name_m]Williams[/name_m] from [name_m]Doctor[/name_m] Who to mind, so I do think it’s still very usable for a male, especially for a character.
[name_u]Rory[/name_u] is a name that can go either way. However, I would be put off using it for a character since the first thing that comes to mind is [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls and [name_m]Doctor[/name_m] Who. Two strong characters with larger fan bases.
[name_u]Rory[/name_u] is a boy’s name. It’s cute as a nickname for [name_f]Aurora[/name_f], and [name_u]Rory[/name_u] from the “[name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls” fame was sweet, but this one deserves to stay with the boys.
[name_u]Rory[/name_u] is one of the few names I think really does cross over - I like it on either gender. I’ve known male [name_u]Rory[/name_u]'s and female [name_u]Rory[/name_u]'s and it’s worked well for all of them. I definitely think it can work for a boy of today.
I love [name_u]Rory[/name_u] as a stand alone name for a boy. As a pp mentioned, it reminds me of [name_u]Rory[/name_u] from [name_m]Doctor[/name_m] Who :). But I think it’s okay as a nn for a girl.
Thanks for the opinions everyone! Loved reading these and am glad to know I’m not alone in my love for it on a boy. I don’t watch [name_m]Doctor[/name_m] Who so I didn’t know there was that pop culture reference out there too. Good to know! I’ll have to mention that next time it comes up!
I like it on a boy. My dad is an avid golfer and I always see him chirping on about [name_u]Rory[/name_u] McIlroy and watching him on the TV, and it’s the only association I have with the name.
I love [name_u]Rory[/name_u]! It’s on my boys’ list. If I’m not mistaken, it ranks higher for boys as a standalone name, but [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] is climbing in popularity a lot, and I think most people opt for [name_u]Rory[/name_u] as a nn (I’d opt for [name_u]Ari[/name_u] or [name_f]Rora[/name_f], personally). I also think of [name_u]Rory[/name_u] [name_m]Williams[/name_m]. I think it’s a great boys’ name, and even if people originally think of it as a girls’ name (which, I think it is probably split pretty evenly right now), I think most people would adjust pretty quickly, and I think [name_u]Rory[/name_u]'s so amazing for a boy. I would love to read a book with a boy [name_u]Rory[/name_u] in it (in fact, I have a boy [name_u]Rory[/name_u] in the story I’m writing right now, haha. He’s a minor character, so I didn’t even think of it until now, but his name is [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] Breckenridge, nn [name_u]Rory[/name_u]. He’s originally from [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], but is a footballer for a team in Germany)!
I like it as a boy’s name. [name_f]Lori[/name_f] seems like a much better nickname for [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]. It could work for [name_f]Aurora[/name_f].
I also associate this with [name_u]Rory[/name_u] from [name_m]Doctor[/name_m] Who, though I have seen a few episodes of [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls. [name_u]Rory[/name_u] ranks number 96 for boys in [name_f]England[/name_f] and [name_m]Wales[/name_m] and number 5742 for girls, so here it is definitely still in the boys camp.
I think it’s a great boys’ name, and even if people originally think of it as a girls’ name (which, I think it is probably split pretty evenly right now), I think most people would adjust pretty quickly, and I think [name_u]Rory[/name_u]'s so amazing for a boy. I would love to read a book with a boy [name_u]Rory[/name_u] in it (in fact, I have a boy [name_u]Rory[/name_u] in the story I’m writing right now, haha. He’s a minor character, so I didn’t even think of it until now, but his name is [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] Breckenridge, nn [name_u]Rory[/name_u]. He’s originally from [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], but is a footballer for a team in Germany)!