US Popularity Rank: 17013

Origin: German

Meaning: Red-haired, kingly

Roarke is a boy’s name of Irish origin. It derives from the surname Ó Ruairc in Irish. Other variants of the surname include Rourke and O’Rourke, both common in Ireland. Possibly an Irish translation of the Germanic name Roderick, it combines the Irish word rua (red-haired) with the Germanic and Old Norse element ríkr (kingly). The Irish clan of O’Rourke ruled the kingdom of Breifne (modern-day County Cavan, County Leitrim, and parts of neighboring counties) until the 17th century. The O’Rourke crest can still be seen on Leitrim’s coat of arms, showing the enduring legacy of this once-powerful clan. If you’re descended from the O’Rourkes, why not pay tribute to your heritage by choosing this name for baby?