Roe Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ROH //roʊ//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'a flow; a stream'; English: 'roe (fish eggs)'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Roe has its roots in Old English, derived from the word "ra" which means "roe deer." This term can be traced back to Proto-Germanic *raiwaz, which also referred to the roe deer, a small and graceful animal often associated with nature and gentleness. The name entered the English language during the early medieval period, influenced by the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought a variety of Old French terms into English.
The connection to the deer may symbolize swiftness and grace, traits that have historically resonated with those who bear the name. Historically, the name Roe has been used in various contexts, including as a surname in England.
Notable figures with the surname include individuals from the 16th century onward, such as John Roe, an English mathematician and astronomer, who contributed to the scientific community in the early 17th century. The name has also appeared in literary works, where it has been used metaphorically to evoke themes of nature and tranquility, further embedding it in cultural narratives.
Culturally, the roe deer has been a symbol of beauty and agility in various traditions, which may have contributed to the name's endurance over centuries. In folklore, the roe deer is often depicted as a creature of the forest, embodying the spirit of the wild and the natural world.
This connection to nature enhances the name's appeal, as it evokes imagery of pastoral landscapes and serene environments. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Roe" can be seen in various cultures, often used affectionately or as terms of endearment, reflecting the name's gentle connotations.
Famous people named Roe
In this section, you will find notable people named Roe. 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 Roe who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Roe 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.
Roe Ethridge is a photographer best known for his work in contemporary art and commercial photography.
Roe v. Wade is a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Roe, 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 Roe. 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 Roe was first seen in the United States in 1881.
Roe has ranked as high as #815 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in Tennessee.
In the past 5 years the name Roe has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Roe 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 Roe was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Roe (1927)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TN | 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 Roe.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1964 | 8 |
| 1961 | 11 |
| 1959 | 11 |
| 1958 | 6 |
| 1957 | 9 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1955 | 10 |
| 1954 | 10 |
| 1953 | 16 |
| 1952 | 9 |
| 1951 | 12 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1949 | 11 |
| 1948 | 10 |
| 1947 | 13 |
| 1946 | 11 |
| 1945 | 12 |
| 1944 | 14 |
| 1943 | 11 |
| 1942 | 6 |
| 1941 | 12 |
| 1940 | 11 |
| 1939 | 13 |
| 1938 | 10 |
| 1937 | 8 |
| 1936 | 11 |
| 1935 | 15 |
| 1934 | 10 |
| 1933 | 21 |
| 1932 | 18 |
| 1931 | 19 |
| 1930 | 9 |
| 1929 | 10 |
| 1928 | 9 |
| 1927 | 14 |
| 1926 | 15 |
| 1925 | 14 |
| 1924 | 12 |
| 1923 | 19 |
| 1922 | 17 |
| 1921 | 20 |
| 1920 | 18 |
| 1919 | 21 |
| 1918 | 23 |
| 1917 | 23 |
| 1916 | 25 |
| 1915 | 19 |
| 1914 | 16 |
| 1913 | 11 |
| 1912 | 9 |
| 1911 | 9 |
| 1909 | 7 |
| 1908 | 7 |
| 1905 | 6 |
| 1904 | 6 |
| 1903 | 7 |
| 1900 | 7 |
| 1897 | 6 |
| 1896 | 6 |
| 1895 | 11 |
| 1894 | 7 |
| 1892 | 7 |
| 1891 | 6 |
| 1890 | 5 |
| 1889 | 5 |
| 1888 | 5 |
| 1887 | 5 |
| 1885 | 6 |
| 1883 | 5 |
| 1881 | 9 |