Ruaridh
Meaningred king · Scottish Gaelic
Ruaridh is a Gaelic boy name meaning “red king”, with Scottish Gaelic roots. Scottish Gaelic names carry the sound of the Highlands and islands where they're still spoken. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Ruaridh has the name Ari hiding inside it.
- GenerationRuaridh peaked in 2016, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Ruaridh you'd meet today is about 9 years old.
- HistoryRuaridh first shows up in US birth records in 2016, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million boys, 2016–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Ruaridh
Ruaridh is a boy name of Gaelic origin meaning “red king”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Gaelic names
More Gaelic boy names
- Boy name: Liam · resolute protector
- Unisex name: Owen · well-born
- Unisex name: Miles · possibly gracious
- Unisex name: Logan · little hollow
- Unisex name: Rowan · little red-haired one
- Unisex name: Aiden · little fire
- Unisex name: Nolan · descendant of Nuallán
- Boy name: Ian · God is gracious
Questions about the name Ruaridh
What does the name Ruaridh mean?
Ruaridh means “red king” and comes from Scottish Gaelic. Names built around “king” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Kinsley (“king's meadow”), Ryan (“little king”), Rory (“red king”) and Kingston (“king's town”).
What is the origin of the name Ruaridh?
Ruaridh is Gaelic in origin, and its meaning traces back to Scottish Gaelic. Other Gaelic names to consider are Liam (“resolute protector”), Owen (“well-born”), Miles (“possibly gracious”) and Logan (“little hollow”).
Is Ruaridh a boy or girl name?
Ruaridh is a boy name.
How popular is the name Ruaridh?
Ruaridh is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2016. It peaked at #12,185 in 2016, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Ruaridh?
If you like Ruaridh, you might also like Kinsley, Ryan, Rory and Kingston.
What should I know before naming my baby Ruaridh?
Ruaridh is a Gaelic boy name meaning “red king”, with Scottish Gaelic roots. Scottish Gaelic names carry the sound of the Highlands and islands where they're still spoken. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.