Ruaidhri

Irish

"red king"

Ruaidhri Origin and Meaning

The name Ruaidhri is a boy's name.

Ruaidhri is a traditional Irish male name with deep Gaelic roots. It's the original form of the more commonly known Rory, derived from the Old Irish elements "ruadh" meaning red and "rí" meaning king, thus translating to "red king" or "red-haired king." The name carries a strong historical significance in Ireland, having been borne by several Irish kings and nobles throughout medieval times. While Ruaidhri maintains its authentic spelling in Ireland, its pronunciation (roughly ROO-ree) can be challenging for non-Irish speakers, contributing to its relative rarity outside Ireland. The name embodies Celtic heritage and conveys a sense of strength and leadership rooted in ancient Gaelic tradition.