Rodney
Rodney is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Island of fame or Hroda's island.
Origin and history
Rodney is an English name derived from an Old English place name meaning 'Hroda's island' or 'island near the clearing'. It became a popular given name in honor of 18th-century British naval hero Admiral George Brydges Rodney. In the United States, it enjoyed peak popularity in the mid-20th century and remains a classic, recognizable choice.
Popularity in the United States
247,150 babies in the United States have been named Rodney since 1880. It ranks #157 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #936.
States where it is most popular
- CA (7.3 %)
- TX (6.6 %)
- OH (5.3 %)
- IL (4.7 %)
- MI (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 112 |
| 1890-1900 | 162 |
| 1900-1910 | 194 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,775 |
| 1920-1930 | 4,519 |
| 1930-1940 | 9,695 |
| 1940-1950 | 24,846 |
| 1950-1960 | 54,817 |
| 1960-1970 | 72,194 |
| 1970-1980 | 37,446 |
| 1980-1990 | 17,872 |
| 1990-2000 | 12,122 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,466 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,624 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,306 |
Famous people named Rodney
- Rodney Dangerfield: Comedian, Actor
- Rodney Peete: Athlete, Broadcaster
- Rodney Atkins: Singer, Songwriter
Nicknames
Rod, Roddy
Fun facts
- The transition of Rodney from a surname to a popular given name was largely inspired by British Admiral George Brydges Rodney.
- Rodney was a top-100 name for boys in the United States from the late 1950s through the 1970s.