Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Roderick
BoyGermanic, English· “famous ruler”
- Meaning
- famous ruler
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- RAHD-rihk
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,752
- US babies 2025
- 93
- Best rank
- #221 (1967)
- Peak year
- 1971
Meaning and origin of Roderick
Roderick is a Germanic and English name that means “famous ruler”.
Roderick comes from Germanic elements hrod, "fame," and ric, "ruler" or "power," so it means "famous ruler." The name was borne by Roderic, the last Visigothic king of Hispania before the Arab conquest, and it spread in Spanish as Rodrigo. In English literature, Roderick Usher is the doomed brother in Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher, and Tobias Smollett wrote The Adventures of Roderick Random. The name has a dignified, slightly old-world character, and Rod, Rory and Rick provide friendly nicknames. It suits parents who like classic names with a regal feel.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rodrick.
Popularity over time
Roderick 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 125 different years. Its best national rank was #221 in 1967, and the most babies received it in 1971, when 1,057 were named Roderick. In 2025, 93 babies were named Roderick, and it ranked #1,752 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #617 in 1920, #314 in 1950, #278 in 1980, #615 in 2000, #964 in 2010, and #1,752 in 2025. Of the 47,183 US boys named Roderick since records began, 20% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 8,598 babies. Since 2010, 2,353 more have been named Roderick.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Lamont, Marlon, Scotty, Rene, and Wade.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Roderick ranked highest in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #600 | 5 |
| Alabama | #749 | 6 |
| Louisiana | #880 | 5 |
| Georgia | #909 | 10 |
| Texas | #1462 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Roderick is usually pronounced RAHD-rihk, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with R and ends in “-ck”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rodrick.
Middle names for Roderick
A few middle names that flow with Roderick: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Roderick
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Lists that include Roderick
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Roderick mean?
Roderick is a Germanic and English name that means “famous ruler”.
What is the origin of the name Roderick?
Roderick has Germanic and English roots. Roderick comes from Germanic elements hrod, "fame," and ric, "ruler" or "power," so it means "famous ruler." The name was borne by Roderic, the last Visigothic king of Hispania before the Arab conquest, and it spread in Spanish as Rodrigo.
Is Roderick a popular name?
Not especially. Roderick ranked #1,752 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Roderick a boy or girl name?
Roderick is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Roderick?
Roderick is usually pronounced RAHD-rihk. 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