Roy
Roy (name) means a male given name and surname with roots in Scottish Gaelic, French, and Bengali traditions. Example: “Roy is a name with several completely different linguistic origins.”
How to Use Roy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common first name and surname; interestingly, it comes from at least three unrelated language roots depending on the family.
Word Forms
Roys plural, roys plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ is a name with several completely different linguistic origins.
Etymology
From several unrelated sources: Anglo-Norman roy ("king," from Latin rex); Scottish Gaelic ruadh ("red-haired"); and an anglicization of the Bengali surname রায় (ray).
Synonyms
View more →Related Words
Rhymes for Roy
See all rhymes for Roy →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Roy” mean?
The word “Roy” means a male given name and surname with roots in Scottish Gaelic, French, and Bengali traditions. In plain terms, a common first name and surname; interestingly, it comes from at least three unrelated language roots depending on the family.
How do you pronounce “Roy”?
“Roy” is pronounced ROIH (/ˈɹoɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “Roy” in a sentence?
Here is “Roy” used in a sentence: “Roy is a name with several completely different linguistic origins.”
What part of speech is “Roy”?
“Roy” is a name.
Where does the word “Roy” come from?
The word “Roy” comes from Latin. From several unrelated sources: Anglo-Norman roy ("king," from Latin rex); Scottish Gaelic ruadh ("red-haired"); and an anglicization of the Bengali surname রায় (ray).
Is “Roy” a common word?
“Roy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is Roy used as a first name or a last name?
Roy works as both. It is a male given name and also functions as a surname, so you will find it in either position in a full name.
What languages and cultures does the name Roy come from?
Roy has separate roots in Scottish Gaelic, French, and Bengali naming traditions. Because it arose independently in more than one culture, the same spelling is used by families of very different backgrounds.
Is Roy a boy's name or a girl's name?
Roy is traditionally a male given name. It is much less common as a female name, though as a surname it applies to anyone in the family.
Featured In
Vocabulary lists that include Roy: