Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Rocco
BoyItalian, Germanic· “rest”
- Meaning
- rest
- Origin
- Italian, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- RAH-koh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #459
- US babies 2025
- 679
- Best rank
- #283 (1922)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Rocco
Rocco is an Italian and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “rest”.
Rocco is the Italian form of a name borne by Saint Roch, a fourteenth-century holy man remembered for caring for plague victims and venerated widely in Italy and France. The name is usually traced to a Germanic element meaning rest, though other explanations exist, so the meaning is best taken as likely rather than certain. Rocco has long been used in Italian communities and among Italian Americans, and it carries a strong, warm, slightly old-world feel. It has become more popular in recent years for its confident sound. Rocky and Roc are traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Rocco first appears in US Social Security records in 1891. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 125 different years, starting in 1892. Its best national rank was #283 in 1922, and the most babies received it in 2009, when 785 were named Rocco. In 2025, 679 babies were named Rocco, and it ranked #459 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #292 in 1920, #503 in 1950, #711 in 1980, #1,171 in 2000, #392 in 2010, and #459 in 2025. Of the 31,679 US boys named Rocco since records began, 21% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 4,411 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Uriel, Jamari, Colten, Issac, and Izaiah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rocco ranked highest in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #163 | 22 |
| New Jersey | #172 | 60 |
| New York | #196 | 102 |
| Pennsylvania | #216 | 59 |
| Rhode Island | #228 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Rocco is usually pronounced RAH-koh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-co”.
Middle names for Rocco
A few middle names that flow with Rocco: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rocco
Similar names
Marco Boy
MAR-koh
“warlike, from Mars” · Italian
#370
Bruno Boy
BROO-noh
“brown” · Germanic
#740
Nico Boy
NEE-koh
“short form of Nicholas, 'victory of the people'” · Italian
#174
Sergio Boy
SAIR-jee-oh
“from the Roman name Sergius” · Italian
#441
Carlo Boy
KAR-loh
“free man” · Italian
#869
Francesco Boy
frahn-CHES-koh
“Frenchman” · Italian
#1,329
Rico Boy
REE-koh
“short for Ricardo or Enrico” · Spanish
#1,805
Luca Boy
LOO-kuh
“from Lucania; form of Luke” · Italian
#14
Leonardo Boy
lee-uh-NAHR-doh
“brave as a lion” · Italian
#91
Enzo Boy
EN-zoh
“short form of Lorenzo or Vincenzo” · Italian
#72
Francisco Boy
fran-SIS-koh
“Frenchman” · Spanish
#322
Louis Boy
LOO-ee
“famous warrior” · French
#249
Lists that include Rocco
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rocco mean?
Rocco is an Italian and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “rest”.
What is the origin of the name Rocco?
Rocco has Italian and Germanic roots. Rocco is the Italian form of a name borne by Saint Roch, a fourteenth-century holy man remembered for caring for plague victims and venerated widely in Italy and France.
Is Rocco a popular name?
Yes. Rocco ranked #459 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Rocco a boy or girl name?
Rocco is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Rocco?
Rocco is usually pronounced RAH-koh. 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