Rodney
Rodney: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɹɑdni/ · /ˈɹɒdni/
Meaning and origin of Rodney
Root meaning: “fame”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English placename Hrōdanīeġ, Hrōdanīġ (literally “Hroda's island”), from Proto-Germanic *hrōþiz (“fame”) and *awjō (“island”).
How popular is Rodney?
Since 1880, 1,175 girls and 247,150 boys in the U.S. have been named Rodney (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1583 in 1966. Its highest rank for boys was #33 in 1965. In 2025, 197 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Rodney
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Rodney
Sister and brother names that share Rodney's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Rodney FAQ
What does the name Rodney mean?
Rodney traces back to a root meaning "fame". A male given name transferred from the surname. From Old English placename Hrōdanīeġ, Hrōdanīġ (literally “Hroda's island”), from Proto-Germanic *hrōþiz (“fame”) and *awjō (“island”).
What is the origin of the name Rodney?
Rodney is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Rodney?
Since 1880, 1,175 girls and 247,150 boys in the U.S. have been named Rodney (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1583 in 1966. Its highest rank for boys was #33 in 1965. In 2025, 197 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Rodney a boy or girl name?
Rodney is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,175 girls and 247,150 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.