Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Rutger since 1987
Babies named Rutger per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 151 |
| 2000s | 86 |
| 2010s | 11 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Rutger first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1987 and reached its peak rank in 1993. In 2025, it ranked 12,008 with a frequency of 1 in 341,615 births. The name has remained stable in usage, never breaking into the top 10,000. While it has no concentration in any particular state, Rutger carries a distinctly Dutch and Germanic heritage, evoking the historical fame and spear imagery of its Old Germanic roots. Its rarity in the United States makes it a distinctive choice, often associated with the actor Rutger Hauer.
Rutger is a Dutch and Low German variant of Roger, derived from the Old Germanic elements hrōd (fame) and gār (spear). The name has been used in the Netherlands since the Middle Ages, often associated with nobility. It is also common in Scandinavia as Rune or Ragnar.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rut, Rudy
Variants: Rüdiger, Rutgerus, Roger
Sibling names for Rutger
Names that share Rutger's style, for a brother or sister.
