Declining since 2013, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Rourke since 1978
Babies named Rourke per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2012, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Rourke's real moment was 2021.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 66 |
| 2000s | 81 |
| 2010s | 125 |
| 2020s | 67 |
Meaning & origin
Rourke is a rare given name in the United States, first appearing in Social Security Administration records in 1978. By 2025, it ranked 7,679th, with about 1 in 170,808 births receiving the name. The name saw its peak annual usage in 2021, though its trajectory has been generally falling since 2013. Despite its ancient Irish roots as a surname derived from Ó Ruaire, Rourke has only gained modest traction as a first name in modern American culture, likely due to its distinctive sound and association with actor Mickey Rourke. Top state usage is minimal, reinforcing its status as an uncommon choice.
Rourke is an Irish surname turned given name, anglicized from Ó Ruaire, meaning 'descendant of Ruarc'. Ruarc itself is of Old Norse or Gaelic origin, possibly meaning 'red' or 'champion'. The name was historically prominent in Ireland, particularly associated with the medieval kingdom of Breifne. Its use as a first name is a modern phenomenon, especially in the United States, where it gained modest popularity from the late 20th century onward.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rory
Sibling names for Rourke
Names that share Rourke's style, for a brother or sister.
