Monroe
muhn-ROH
Monroe is a Scottish surname from the Gaelic Munro, believed to derive from Mòr Ruaidh, a place name meaning “mouth of the Roe river” in County Londonderry, Ireland, or from a similar Gaelic geographic description.
The surname became famous through Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures. Parents have used Monroe as a given name for girls since the mid-2000s, driven entirely by that glamorous association.
Monroe peaked at No. 526 in 2021 with 587 births. In 2024 it holds at No. 571 with 529 births, near its recent high.
What the name Monroe means
Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey named their daughter Monroe in 2011, giving the name a high-profile celebrity boost that coincided with its broader rise among American parents.
Two syllables — mun-ROH — with stress on the second beat. The name has an effortlessly cool quality — the surname of a Hollywood legend, worn lightly as a given name.
Parents choosing Monroe often want a name that carries Marilyn Monroe’s glamour and cultural significance in a surname form that feels modern and gender-neutral.
No significant spelling variants exist. Monroe is used in one standard form, which keeps the connection to the presidential and Hollywood surnames intact.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Monroe
Monroe - similar names
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