Tory
From Irish tóraí (“pursuer”), from tóir (“pursuit”).
Every Tory since 1947 — 10,916 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Tory
Tory is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,375 in 2025 with 24 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1947, 10,916 American babies have been named Tory — about 64% boys and 36% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1977, when 466 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Tory stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Tory year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | #5,704 | 24 | #4,375 |
| 2024 | 21 | #5,943 | 23 | #4,558 |
| 2023 | 14 | #8,022 | 27 | #4,105 |
| 2022 | 19 | #6,449 | 35 | #3,405 |
| 2021 | 21 | #5,931 | 23 | #4,482 |
| 2020 | 17 | #6,901 | 38 | #3,069 |
| 2019 | 29 | #4,766 | 35 | #3,338 |
| 2018 | 32 | #4,447 | 39 | #3,048 |
| 2017 | 33 | #4,370 | 42 | #2,884 |
| 2016 | 35 | #4,237 | 48 | #2,620 |
| 2015 | 37 | #4,065 | 40 | #2,959 |
| 2014 | 36 | #4,174 | 28 | #3,774 |
| 2013 | 44 | #3,566 | 31 | #3,489 |
| 2012 | 38 | #4,041 | 28 | #3,794 |
| 2011 | 39 | #3,908 | 41 | #2,897 |
| 2010 | 22 | #6,169 | 35 | #3,231 |
| 2009 | 29 | #5,085 | 42 | #2,890 |
| 2008 | 48 | #3,473 | 47 | #2,675 |
| 2007 | 37 | #4,205 | 60 | #2,233 |
| 2006 | 38 | #3,988 | 61 | #2,149 |
| 2005 | 67 | #2,578 | 69 | #1,867 |
| 2004 | 66 | #2,553 | 66 | #1,878 |
| 2003 | 56 | #2,798 | 83 | #1,546 |
| 2002 | 61 | #2,581 | 75 | #1,619 |
| 2001 | 64 | #2,458 | 71 | #1,658 |
| 2000 | 86 | #1,967 | 87 | #1,426 |
| 1995 | 100 | #1,541 | 148 | #912 |
| 1990 | 92 | #1,633 | 231 | #667 |
| 1985 | 80 | #1,535 | 176 | #669 |
| 1980 | 54 | #1,980 | 158 | #693 |
| 1975 | 55 | #1,726 | 199 | #574 |
| 1970 | 44 | #1,950 | 114 | #775 |
| 1965 | 22 | #2,679 | 40 | #1,224 |
| 1960 | 43 | #1,745 | 47 | #1,151 |
| 1955 | 12 | #3,561 | 11 | #2,543 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,704 | 5 | #4,154 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Tory
- Tory Lane Pornographic actor · b. 1982
- Tory Belleci Actor · b. 1970
- Tory Burch Businessperson · b. 1966
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tory mean?
From Irish tóraí (“pursuer”), from tóir (“pursuit”).
How popular is the name Tory in 2025?
Tory ranked #4,375 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 24 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Tory?
10,916 babies have been named Tory in the United States since 1947, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Tory most popular?
Tory peaked in 1977, when 466 newborns received the name.
Is Tory a boy or girl name?
Tory is used for both: about 36% of babies named Tory have been girls and 64% boys.
Is the name Tory rising or falling?
Tory is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Tory?
Well-known people named Tory include Tory Lane (pornographic actor), Tory Belleci (actor), Tory Burch (businessperson).