The name Roye is of Old French origin, meaning 'from the royal house'. It was originally a surname given to someone who lived near a royal residence or served in a royal household. Over time, it has evolved into a unisex given name, although it remains more commonly used for males.
The name Roye experienced fluctuations in popularity over time, with the highest number of births occurring in 1923 and the lowest in several years including 1916 and 1942.