Rome

Meaning & origin

The name Rome, first recorded in the U.S. in 1882, remained uncommon for nearly a century before experiencing a sustained resurgence. Ranked 452nd in 2025, it is given to roughly 1 in 2,461 male newborns, with its highest peak ever occurring that same year. The name's rise has been particularly notable since 1993, climbing steadily each decade. Geographically, Rome shows the strongest popularity in Hawaii, New Mexico, and Utah, reflecting a preference for evocative place-names in diverse regions. As a modern place-name choice, Rome joins a broader trend of city names used for boys, but it retains a distinct historical and cultural resonance.

The name Rome derives directly from the Italian and Latin name for the city of Rome. While the city's name is often traced to the legendary founder Romulus, the etymology is debated; it may come from Etruscan or Greek words. As a given name, Rome has been used sparingly in English-speaking countries, often as a place-name or a shortened form of Romeo. Its use as a first name increased notably in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, reflecting a trend toward geographical and cultural names.