Rising since 1994, #3,036 for boys today.
Popularity of Roper since 1992
Babies named Roper per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 50 |
| 2000s | 147 |
| 2010s | 213 |
| 2020s | 237 |
Meaning & origin
Roper is an English occupational surname turned first name, meaning 'maker of rope'. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1992, and as of 2025 it ranked 3036th with approximately 1 in 42,702 boys receiving the name. Its popularity has been rising steadily since 1994, reaching a peak in 2024. The name was most common in Missouri and Texas during the latest decade. Roper fits a broader trend of surname-style given names like Cooper and Parker, appealing to parents seeking a name with a strong occupational heritage.
Roper is an English occupational surname derived from Middle English 'ropere', meaning 'one who makes or sells rope'. As a given name, it follows the tradition of using surnames as first names, a practice particularly common in the United States. The name has seen modest modern usage since the early 1990s.
Where Roper is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Roper
Names that share Roper's style, for a brother or sister.
