Declining since 1985, #1,091 for boys today.
Popularity of Rodney since 1880
Babies named Rodney per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 112 |
| 1890s | 162 |
| 1900s | 194 |
| 1910s | 1,775 |
| 1920s | 4,519 |
| 1930s | 9,695 |
| 1940s | 24,846 |
| 1950s | 54,817 |
| 1960s | 72,194 |
| 1970s | 37,446 |
| 1980s | 17,872 |
| 1990s | 12,122 |
| 2000s | 6,466 |
| 2010s | 3,624 |
| 2020s | 1,306 |
Meaning & origin
Rodney enjoyed peak popularity in 1965, ranking among the top 100 names for boys in the United States during the mid-20th century. Since reaching that height, its usage has steadily declined, and by 2025 it stood at rank 1091, with about 1 in 8,670 boys receiving the name. The name was recorded as early as 1880, but its surge came in the post-World War II era, reflecting broader naming trends of the time. Geographically, Rodney has been most common in southern states, with Mississippi, Virginia, and Georgia showing the highest concentrations. Its trajectory shows a clear falling trend since 1985, aligning with the decline of many mid-century favorites.
Rodney is an English surname-turned-given name, likely derived from a place name in Somerset, England. The place name may come from Old English 'rod' (red) and 'eg' (island), or possibly from a personal name. It gained popularity as a first name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Rodney is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Rodney” around the world
Where Rodney lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rod, Rodge
Sibling names for Rodney
Names that share Rodney's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Rodney
Names whose popularity has moved with Rodney's over the last 50 years.
