Rory originates in Gaelic languages and means "red ruler, king". The original form of this name is Ruaidhri, name of several Irish kings. In the past, it was mainly used as a masculine given name. As a feminine given name it was popularized by Rory Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy's daughter, and also the name of a character in a popular TV show Gilmore Girls. Rory can also be a diminutive of Aurora.