Declining since 2022, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Roe since 1881
Babies named Roe per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Roe's real moment was 1895.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 35 |
| 1890s | 5 | 48 |
| 1900s | 0 | 40 |
| 1910s | 0 | 156 |
| 1920s | 12 | 148 |
| 1930s | 12 | 134 |
| 1940s | 19 | 111 |
| 1950s | 42 | 93 |
| 1960s | 5 | 19 |
| 1970s | 0 | 21 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 43 | 39 |
| 2020s | 72 | 60 |
Meaning & origin
Roe is an uncommon unisex name with a quiet history. First recorded in the U.S. in 1881, it saw its highest usage in the 1890s, peaking in 1895. Since 2022, its frequency has been falling, and it remains far from mainstream. With a rank of 8910 in 2025 and a rarity of 1 in 213,510 births, Roe is a distinctive choice for those drawn to short, surname-style names. Its possible connection to the roe deer or a red hue adds a touch of nature and color, though the etymology is not definitive. Roe has never been tied to any particular region of the United States, as it has not appeared in top state rankings.
Roe is a very rare given name, likely originating as a surname or as a diminutive. As a surname, it has multiple possible origins: it could be a nickname from Middle English roe 'roe deer', referring to a gentle or swift person, or from roe 'red' (Old English rēad), for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. As a given name, it may also be a short form of names like Rowena or Roland. Its use as a first name has been sporadic, with a minor peak in the 1890s and declining since.
Sibling names for Roe
Names that share Roe's style, for a brother or sister.
