Girl · 624th of 30,306
Monroe
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
23,536
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2021
Peak Popularity Year
776
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Monroe stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Monroe is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning 'great river'. It evolved from the surname Monro, associated with a place in Scotland. The name gained prominence in American history through President James Monroe and is viewed as a strong name with historical significance. There is no biblical background associated with it.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/mənˈroʊ/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Monroe is derived from the Scottish Gaelic surname 'Monro', which comes from the place name 'Monroe' in Scotland. The name itself is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word 'mòr', meaning 'big' or 'great', and 'rò', which means 'river' or 'stream'.
Meaning
great river
Language Evolution
Monro, Monroe
Historical Usage
The name Monroe gained popularity in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries, largely due to its association with President James Monroe, who served from 1817 to 1825.
Variants & Derivatives
Monro, Monroe, Mon
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Monroe is perceived as a classic and strong name, often associated with historical significance and leadership, as well as a sense of Americana.
Famous People
James Monroe (5th President of the United States), Monroe Bearden (American artist), Marilyn Monroe (American actress and model)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 776 peak births in 2021
Geographic Spread
Popular across 44 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 293rd of 7545 | 5,721 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 400th of 6773 | 3,830 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 666th of 7552 | 2,428 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1069th of 10718 | 926 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1899th of 16616 | 597 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2858th of 24088 | 586 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1393rd of 23106 | 1,577 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 7452nd of 9204 | 14 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 11867th of 12526 | 6 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 23525th of 27321 | 10 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3148th of 35406 | 792 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 624th of 30306 | 5,781 |