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Roderick Boy

Popularity: #841 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationROD-er-ick / ˈrɒdərɪk

Germanic; Old High German

Meaning

Famous ruler; renowned power

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Roderick has its roots in the Germanic elements "hrod," meaning "fame," and "ric," meaning "ruler" or "power." This etymological foundation can be traced back to the Old High German form "Hrodrich," which evolved into the Old French "Roderic" before entering the English language. The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Norman names, including Roderick, were assimilated into the English lexicon, influenced by the cultural and linguistic shifts of the time.

Historically, the name Roderick is associated with several notable figures, including Roderick, the last king of the Visigoths, who ruled in the early 8th century. His reign ended with the Muslim conquest of Hispania, marking a significant turning point in Iberian history. The name also appears in various literary works, such as Sir Walter Scott's 1811 novel "The Pirate," which features a character named Roderick. Additionally, the name has been borne by various saints and nobles throughout medieval Europe, further embedding it in historical narratives.

Culturally, Roderick has been associated with themes of leadership and valor, resonating through its meaning of "famous ruler." This connection to nobility and strength has contributed to its enduring presence in literature and historical texts. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Rod and Rick, which have been used in different contexts throughout history. Overall, Roderick's linguistic roots and historical significance reflect a rich tapestry of cultural heritage that has allowed the name to persist through the centuries.

Trend Summary

Roderick has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable presence in the early to mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Rod
  • Rudy

International Variants

  • Roderico (Spanish)
  • Roderik (Dutch)
  • Roderig (Portuguese)

Famous people named Roderick

Roderick Strong is a professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE and Ring of Honor.

Fictional characters named Roderick

Roderick Usher is a fictional character from the short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe. He is the troubled heir of the Usher family, suffering from a mysterious illness and a deteriorating mental state.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Roderick was first seen in the United States in 1880. Roderick has ranked as high as #468 nationally, which occurred in 1971, and has been most popular in Alabama, California, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. In the past 5 years the name Roderick has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Roderick (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 8
25%
TX 8
25%
GA 6
19%
AL 5
16%
LA 5
16%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18807
18826
18845
18858
18865
188713
18887
18899
18908
189115
18927
18936
189410
18969
18979
189812
18996
190013
19018
19028
190314
19049
19055
190612
19079
190813
190911
191014
191117
191246
191374
191465
191584
191682
191796
191890
191976
1920105
1921106
1922137
1923131
1924140
1925148
1926174
1927178
1928182
1929177
1930153
1931156
1932140
1933166
1934170
1935151
1936180
1937188
1938191
1939189
1940162
1941160
1942202
1943222
1944234
1945248
1946302
1947368
1948364
1949401
1950475
1951466
1952546
1953632
1954572
1955646
1956682
1957766
1958699
1959809
1960844
1961900
1962932
1963990
19641,027
1965997
1966961
19671,008
1968998
1969980
19701,037
19711,057
1972940
1973908
1974880
1975796
1976783
1977760
1978691
1979746
1980758
1981742
1982740
1983682
1984629
1985668
1986631
1987597
1988568
1989610
1990599
1991540
1992511
1993489
1994437
1995399
1996361
1997356
1998290
1999331
2000310
2001288
2002305
2003240
2004265
2005249
2006292
2007255
2008217
2009229
2010206
2011220
2012204
2013178
2014178
2015185
2016199
2017160
2018131
2019134
2020100
202196
2022103
202382
202483