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Rodney Boy

Popularity: #725 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationROD-nee / /ˈrɒd.ni/

Old English; French

Meaning

Old English: 'hroth' (fame) + 'dun' (hill); French: 'from the island clearing'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rodney has its roots in Old French, derived from the Norman name "Roderic," which itself comes from the Germanic elements "hrod," meaning "fame," and "ric," meaning "power" or "ruler." This name was introduced to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066, where it evolved into various forms, including "Rodney." The earliest recorded use of the name in England dates back to the 13th century, highlighting its gradual integration into the English lexicon.

Historically, the name Rodney gained prominence in the 18th century, particularly through the figure of Admiral George Rodney, a British naval officer known for his victories during the American Revolutionary War. His notable achievements, including the Battle of the Saintes in 1782, contributed to the name's association with naval prowess and leadership. The name also appears in various literary works, reflecting its cultural significance during this period.

Culturally, Rodney has been associated with themes of strength and renown, resonating with the qualities attributed to its etymological roots. The name has been used in various artistic and literary contexts, further embedding it within the cultural fabric of English-speaking societies. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Rod or Roddie have emerged, though they are less frequently noted in historical texts. Overall, the name Rodney encapsulates a blend of historical significance and cultural resonance, rooted in its noble and powerful connotations.

Trend Summary

Rodney has seen a decline in popularity in the United States since the 1980s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Rod
  • Roddy

International Variants

  • Rodolfo (Spanish)
  • Rodolphe (French)

Famous people named Rodney

Rodney Dangerfield was a comedian and actor best known for Caddyshack, Back to School, and his stand-up routines.

Rodney Crowell is a singer-songwriter best known for Diamonds & Dirt, Ain't Living Long Like This, and his work with Emmylou Harris.

Rodney King was a civil rights figure best known for his role in the Los Angeles riots following his police beating.

Rodney Mullen is a professional skateboarder best known for inventing numerous tricks and his influence on street skating.

Rodney Hudson is a professional American football player best known for his time with the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.

Fictional characters named Rodney

Rodney Trotter is a fictional character from the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. He is the younger brother of the main character, Del Boy, and often serves as the voice of reason in their misadventures.

Rodney McKay is a fictional character from the TV series Stargate Atlantis. He is a brilliant astrophysicist and a key member of the Atlantis expedition, known for his intelligence and often sarcastic demeanor.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rodney was first seen in the United States in 1880. Rodney has ranked as high as #69 nationally, which occurred in 1965, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Rodney has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Rodney (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 21
15%
CA 15
10%
NC 12
8%
GA 12
8%
FL 10
7%
MI 9
6%
OH 9
6%
MD 8
6%
MO 7
5%
NY 7
5%
PA 6
4%
AL 6
4%
MN 6
4%
MA 5
3%
TN 5
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188013
18816
188212
188311
188413
188513
188614
18879
188812
18899
189019
189111
189216
189319
18949
189519
189614
189717
189820
189918
190021
190110
190219
190313
190413
190520
190629
190717
190827
190925
191034
191159
191288
1913131
1914189
1915235
1916237
1917234
1918253
1919315
1920353
1921361
1922400
1923389
1924397
1925447
1926482
1927562
1928589
1929539
1930639
1931706
1932829
1933783
1934929
19351,027
19361,009
19371,026
19381,301
19391,446
19401,397
19411,551
19421,788
19431,984
19441,781
19452,185
19463,304
19473,564
19483,466
19493,826
19503,856
19514,297
19524,403
19536,536
19545,959
19556,048
19566,075
19575,863
19585,865
19595,915
19605,864
19615,660
19625,434
19635,190
19646,073
196511,086
196610,269
19678,438
19687,508
19696,670
19705,856
19715,195
19724,363
19734,059
19743,849
19753,584
19762,984
19772,703
19782,555
19792,299
19802,266
19812,029
19821,946
19831,694
19841,626
19851,621
19861,629
19871,596
19881,730
19891,737
19901,710
19911,560
19921,477
19931,309
19941,183
19951,099
19961,055
1997995
1998866
1999868
2000799
2001740
2002714
2003688
2004602
2005579
2006606
2007639
2008545
2009554
2010460
2011461
2012430
2013392
2014357
2015347
2016341
2017301
2018273
2019262
2020262
2021234
2022228
2023183
2024200