Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Troy
BoyGreek, English· “from the ancient city of Troy”
- Meaning
- from the ancient city of Troy
- Origin
- Greek, English
- Pronunciation
- TROY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #533
- US babies 2025
- 563
- Best rank
- #40 (1967)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Troy
Troy is a Greek and English name that means “from the ancient city of Troy”.
Troy is the name of the ancient city besieged by the Greeks in Homer's Iliad and in the legend of the Trojan Horse. As an English surname it can also come from Troyes, a city in France, so the given name has a double background. Troy became popular as a first name in the United States in the mid twentieth century, helped by the actor Troy Donahue. It is short, strong and uncomplicated, with a heroic echo of ancient epic. Troy also works well as a middle name, and it pairs comfortably with both classic and modern first names.
Popularity over time
Troy has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #40 in 1967, and the most babies received it in 1970, when 8,448 were named Troy. In 2025, 563 babies were named Troy, and it ranked #533 nationally. That is 53% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #242 in 1920, #258 in 1950, #106 in 1980, #225 in 2000, #248 in 2010, and #533 in 2025. Of the 216,308 US boys named Troy since records began, 28% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 48,852 babies. Since 2010, 15,727 more have been named Troy.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Marc, Brent, Lance, Shawn, and Eric.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Troy ranked highest in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | #231 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | #355 | 32 |
| Oklahoma | #392 | 12 |
| Colorado | #437 | 14 |
| Nevada | #439 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Troy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Troy is usually pronounced TROY, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with T and ends in “-oy”.
Middle names for Troy
A few middle names that flow with Troy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Troy
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Lists that include Troy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Troy mean?
Troy is a Greek and English name that means “from the ancient city of Troy”.
What is the origin of the name Troy?
Troy has Greek and English roots. Troy is the name of the ancient city besieged by the Greeks in Homer's Iliad and in the legend of the Trojan Horse.
Is Troy a popular name?
Yes. Troy ranked #533 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Troy a boy or girl name?
Troy is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Troy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Troy?
Troy is usually pronounced TROY. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings