Rising since 2003, #4,396 for boys today.
Popularity of Rocket since 2001
Babies named Rocket per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0 | 57 |
| 2010s | 40 | 199 |
| 2020s | 5 | 128 |
Meaning & origin
Rocket is a modern English word name that has gained traction as a given name since the early 2000s, first recorded in 2001. It reached its peak popularity in 2021, and has been steadily rising since 2003. In 2025, the name ranked 4,396th in the United States, with approximately 1 in 74,264 boys receiving the name. Its strongest association is with Texas, where it appears most frequently. Rocket fits into a broader trend of bold, noun-names that convey a sense of power and innovation, appealing to parents who want a name that stands out.
Rocket is a modern usage of the English word for a high-speed projectile or spacecraft, borrowed from Italian 'rocchetta' (small distaff) but popularized in the 20th century. As a given name, it emerged as a fashionable choice among parents seeking bold, aspirational names, particularly in the United States in the 2000s. Its adoption may be partly attributed to celebrity influence, such as the naming of Rocket Rodriguez (son of Robert Rodriguez) and the character Rocket Raccoon from Marvel comics (introduced in 1976).
Where Rocket is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rock, Rocky
Sibling names for Rocket
Names that share Rocket's style, for a brother or sister.
