Declining since 2018, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Rockford since 1917
Babies named Rockford per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 17 |
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 51 |
| 1950s | 126 |
| 1960s | 67 |
| 1970s | 72 |
| 1980s | 92 |
| 1990s | 37 |
| 2000s | 52 |
| 2010s | 131 |
| 2020s | 59 |
Meaning & origin
Rockford is a surname-name that saw its greatest popularity in the United States during the 1970s, peaking in 1979. The name likely gained visibility from the television series 'The Rockford Files' (1974-1980). Since 2018, its usage has been declining. In 2025, it ranked 7,679th with only about 1 in 170,808 boys receiving the name. Though never common, it retains a rugged, Americana feel. No top states are recorded for Rockford, suggesting its use is scattered rather than regionally concentrated.
Rockford is an English surname derived from a place name meaning 'rock ford,' referring to a crossing over a stream with rocky banks. It was used as a given name primarily in the United States, possibly influenced by the popularity of surnames as first names and by the character Jim Rockford from the 1970s television series 'The Rockford Files.'
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rock, Ford
Variants: Rockford
Sibling names for Rockford
Names that share Rockford's style, for a brother or sister.
