Rising since 1988, #940 for boys today.
Popularity of Rowdy since 1959
Babies named Rowdy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 22 |
| 1960s | 348 |
| 1970s | 281 |
| 1980s | 355 |
| 1990s | 536 |
| 2000s | 923 |
| 2010s | 1,231 |
| 2020s | 1,284 |
Meaning & origin
Rowdy first entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1959, a latecomer among given names. The name is often chosen for its spirited, energetic feel, aligning with the English word's connotations. In 2025, it ranked 940th, with a frequency of 1 in 6,832 births, marking its peak year to date. Its trajectory has been rising steadily since 1988, especially in states like Mississippi, Idaho, and Oklahoma, where the name has found particular favor. While it remains uncommon, Rowdy's ascent suggests a growing taste for bold, unconventional word names in modern American culture.
Rowdy is a modern English name, first recorded in the United States in 1959. It likely derives from the English word 'rowdy,' meaning boisterous or disorderly, which itself may come from the dialectal term 'rowd' (meaning rough) or be a back-formation from 'rowdydow.' The name has also been used as a nickname for surnames like Rowden. It gained modest popularity as a given name in the late 20th century, particularly in the American South and West.
Where Rowdy 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.
Sibling names for Rowdy
Names that share Rowdy's style, for a brother or sister.
