Rodney
From Old English placename Hrōdanīeġ, Hrōdanīġ (literally “Hroda's island”), from Proto-Germanic *hrōþiz (“fame”) and *awjō (“island”).
Every Rodney since 1880 — 248,325 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Rodney
Rodney is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,093 in 2025 with 197 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 248,325 American babies have been named Rodney. Its peak came in 1965, when 11,132 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Rodney stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Rodney year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 197 | #1,093 |
| 2024 | — | — | 202 | #1,080 |
| 2023 | — | — | 183 | #1,148 |
| 2022 | — | — | 228 | #990 |
| 2021 | — | — | 234 | #962 |
| 2020 | — | — | 262 | #864 |
| 2019 | — | — | 262 | #854 |
| 2018 | — | — | 273 | #821 |
| 2017 | — | — | 301 | #782 |
| 2016 | — | — | 341 | #719 |
| 2015 | — | — | 347 | #716 |
| 2014 | — | — | 357 | #697 |
| 2013 | — | — | 392 | #629 |
| 2012 | — | — | 430 | #594 |
| 2011 | — | — | 461 | #554 |
| 2010 | — | — | 460 | #549 |
| 2009 | — | — | 554 | #494 |
| 2008 | — | — | 545 | #503 |
| 2007 | — | — | 639 | #438 |
| 2006 | — | — | 606 | #447 |
| 2005 | — | — | 579 | #447 |
| 2004 | — | — | 602 | #432 |
| 2003 | — | — | 688 | #379 |
| 2002 | — | — | 714 | #370 |
| 2001 | — | — | 740 | #358 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,556 | 799 | #342 |
| 1995 | — | — | 1,099 | #256 |
| 1990 | 7 | #11,098 | 1,710 | #181 |
| 1985 | 18 | #4,412 | 1,621 | #168 |
| 1980 | 25 | #3,394 | 2,266 | #121 |
| 1975 | 31 | #2,554 | 3,583 | #76 |
| 1970 | 36 | #2,232 | 5,856 | #55 |
| 1965 | 46 | #1,665 | 11,086 | #33 |
| 1960 | 27 | #2,288 | 5,865 | #68 |
| 1955 | 15 | #3,069 | 6,047 | #65 |
| 1950 | 9 | #3,904 | 3,856 | #88 |
| 1945 | 9 | #3,343 | 2,185 | #105 |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,792 | 1,397 | #133 |
| 1935 | — | — | 1,027 | #149 |
| 1930 | 7 | #3,983 | 639 | #208 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,633 | 447 | #271 |
| 1920 | — | — | 353 | #304 |
| 1915 | — | — | 235 | #349 |
| 1910 | — | — | 34 | #477 |
| 1905 | — | — | 20 | #520 |
| 1900 | — | — | 21 | #530 |
| 1895 | — | — | 19 | #472 |
| 1890 | — | — | 19 | #422 |
| 1885 | — | — | 13 | #542 |
| 1880 | — | — | 13 | #520 |
Famous people named Rodney
- Rodney King Celebrity · 1965–2012
- Rodney Robert Porter Chemist · 1917–1985
- Rodney Alcala Extremist · b. 1943
- Rodney Dangerfield Comedian · 1921–2004
- Rodney Williams Politician · b. 1947
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rodney mean?
From Old English placename Hrōdanīeġ, Hrōdanīġ (literally “Hroda's island”), from Proto-Germanic *hrōþiz (“fame”) and *awjō (“island”).
How popular is the name Rodney in 2025?
Rodney ranked #1,093 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 197 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Rodney?
248,325 babies have been named Rodney in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Rodney most popular?
Rodney peaked in 1965, when 11,132 newborns received the name.
Is Rodney a boy or girl name?
Rodney is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Rodney rising or falling?
Rodney is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Rodney?
Well-known people named Rodney include Rodney King (celebrity), Rodney Robert Porter (chemist), Rodney Alcala (extremist).