Latroy

Meaning & origin

Latroy is a modern American invented name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1966. It saw its peak popularity in 1977, during the height of the 1970s, when the prefix La- names were especially fashionable in African American communities. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined, and by 2025 it is no longer common. Although no top states have been recorded for Latroy, the name reflects a broader cultural trend of creative naming that emerged in the mid-20th century. Like many names of its type, Latroy does not carry a traditional etymological meaning but rather a contemporary identity. While the name has fallen out of regular use, it remains a distinctive choice that echoes the naming patterns of the 1970s.

Latroy emerged in the mid-20th century as part of a trend in African American naming where the prefix La- (possibly from French or Spanish feminine articles, or the syllable 'la') is attached to existing names like Troy. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1966, gained popularity in the 1970s, with a peak in 1977, and has since declined. The name Troy itself derives from the ancient city of Troy or from Irish names like Troy (from 'troightheach', meaning 'foot soldier'). Latroy does not have a traditional etymological meaning; it is a modern invented name.