Holding steady, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Roddy since 1914
Babies named Roddy per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1960, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Roddy's real moment was 1946.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 15 |
| 1920s | 91 |
| 1930s | 200 |
| 1940s | 485 |
| 1950s | 484 |
| 1960s | 566 |
| 1970s | 276 |
| 1980s | 156 |
| 1990s | 108 |
| 2000s | 63 |
| 2010s | 66 |
| 2020s | 31 |
Meaning & origin
Roddy is a friendly, informal diminutive of Rodney, a name that enjoyed moderate popularity in the mid-20th century. The name Rodney itself peaked in 1946 (the same year Roddy saw its highest usage), but Roddy has remained a stable, if uncommon, choice. According to Social Security data, Roddy was first recorded in 1914 and has seen consistent but low-level use since, with a rank of 7,679 in 2025. Its trajectory is classified as stable, and it is most strongly associated with the 1940s. While no top states are recorded, Roddy carries a distinctly British or Scottish air, yet it remains usable in the U.S. as a vintage nickname-style name. The name's etymology is debated, possibly from a place name meaning 'clearing near the road' or from a Germanic root meaning 'famous ruler', but its charm as a short, approachable name is undeniable.
Roddy is a diminutive of the English surname and given name Rodney, which itself has uncertain origins. It may be derived from a place name meaning 'clearing near the road' (from Old English 'rod' and 'leah') or from the Germanic name Hrodnic, meaning 'famous ruler'. Roddy emerged as an independent given name in the early 20th century, particularly in Scotland and Ireland.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rod
Variants: Roddie
Sibling names for Roddy
Names that share Roddy's style, for a brother or sister.
