Rod Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Rod /rɒd/
Origin: Germanic; English
Meaning: Germanic: fame; English: a short form of names like Rodney
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Rod is derived from the Old High German name Hrodric, which is composed of the elements "hrod," meaning "fame" or "glory," and "ric," meaning "ruler" or "power." This name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Old High German to Middle High German as "Rodrich," and eventually to the modern English form, Rod. The name's introduction into English can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Germanic names were brought into the English lexicon through the influence of Norman French and the subsequent blending of cultures.
Historically, the name Rod has been associated with notable figures, particularly in medieval Europe. One significant milestone is the use of the name in various forms, such as Roderick, which appeared in literature and historical texts, including the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century.
Roderick was a legendary king of the Visigoths, and his story was popularized in medieval romances, contributing to the name's cultural resonance. The name Rodric also appears in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, further embedding it in the historical narrative of England.
Culturally, the name Rod has been linked to themes of leadership and valor, reflecting its etymological roots in fame and rulership. This connection to nobility and strength has allowed the name to endure through centuries, often appearing in literature and folklore.
The diminutive form Rod has become a familiar and accessible variant, maintaining the essence of its historical significance while adapting to contemporary usage. Overall, the name Rod encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural heritage, rooted in the ideals of power and renown.
Famous people named Rod
In this section, you will find notable people named Rod. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Rod who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Rod who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Rod Stewart is a singer and songwriter best known for Maggie May, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?, and Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright).
Fictional characters named Rod
The following list of fictional characters named Rod is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Rod is a fictional character from the animated television series The Simpsons. He is one of the twin sons of Marge and Homer Simpson, known for his shy demeanor and close relationship with his brother Todd.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rod, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rod. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Rod was first seen in the United States in 1910.
Rod has ranked as high as #716 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Michigan, Washington, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Rod has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Rod is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Rod was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Rod (1998)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Rod.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 1999 | 16 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 23 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 1995 | 26 |
| 1994 | 25 |
| 1993 | 23 |
| 1992 | 31 |
| 1991 | 17 |
| 1990 | 36 |
| 1989 | 28 |
| 1988 | 35 |
| 1987 | 26 |
| 1986 | 29 |
| 1985 | 28 |
| 1984 | 35 |
| 1983 | 35 |
| 1982 | 26 |
| 1981 | 34 |
| 1980 | 40 |
| 1979 | 50 |
| 1978 | 47 |
| 1977 | 59 |
| 1976 | 58 |
| 1975 | 78 |
| 1974 | 80 |
| 1973 | 82 |
| 1972 | 121 |
| 1971 | 155 |
| 1970 | 193 |
| 1969 | 220 |
| 1968 | 233 |
| 1967 | 335 |
| 1966 | 352 |
| 1965 | 494 |
| 1964 | 367 |
| 1963 | 405 |
| 1962 | 425 |
| 1961 | 419 |
| 1960 | 495 |
| 1959 | 482 |
| 1958 | 349 |
| 1957 | 324 |
| 1956 | 212 |
| 1955 | 156 |
| 1954 | 141 |
| 1953 | 109 |
| 1952 | 93 |
| 1951 | 78 |
| 1950 | 82 |
| 1949 | 107 |
| 1948 | 152 |
| 1947 | 191 |
| 1946 | 171 |
| 1945 | 95 |
| 1944 | 74 |
| 1943 | 71 |
| 1942 | 58 |
| 1941 | 37 |
| 1940 | 34 |
| 1939 | 41 |
| 1938 | 22 |
| 1937 | 29 |
| 1936 | 25 |
| 1935 | 28 |
| 1934 | 15 |
| 1933 | 27 |
| 1932 | 16 |
| 1931 | 12 |
| 1930 | 17 |
| 1929 | 14 |
| 1928 | 16 |
| 1927 | 11 |
| 1925 | 8 |
| 1923 | 8 |
| 1921 | 7 |
| 1920 | 8 |
| 1918 | 9 |
| 1916 | 6 |
| 1915 | 6 |
| 1914 | 5 |
| 1910 | 6 |