Boy
Rodney
island clearing, famous island
About Rodney
Classic and unpretentious, this name represents straightforward American naming tradition. The familiar sound carries generational depth, connecting to grandparents and great-grandparents while remaining perfectly functional for modern children. Its two-syllable structure creates a comfortable, accessible rhythm that feels natural in everyday use.
The name doesn't chase trends or make bold statements—it simply exists with quiet confidence. This reliability appeals to parents who value stability and tradition over novelty. The strong consonants give it a solid, dependable feel that matches well with practical, grounded personalities.
While perhaps less common among recent births than in previous decades, this creates opportunity for revival and renewed appreciation. The name carries well in professional settings, sounding mature and capable without pretension. It offers straightforward spelling and pronunciation, eliminating confusion and constant corrections. For parents seeking a name with proven staying power and wholesome associations, this represents a choice that honors tradition while serving their son well throughout life.
Popularity of the Name Rodney
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #520 | |||
| 1881 | #848 | |||
| 1882 | #571 | |||
| 1883 | #587 | |||
| 1884 | #541 | |||
| 1885 | #542 | |||
| 1886 | #504 | |||
| 1887 | #671 | |||
| 1888 | #601 | |||
| 1889 | #715 | |||
| 1890 | #422 | |||
| 1891 | #584 | |||
| 1892 | #516 | |||
| 1893 | #429 | |||
| 1894 | #776 | |||
| 1895 | #472 | |||
| 1896 | #583 | |||
| 1897 | #489 | |||
| 1898 | #469 | |||
| 1899 | #451 | |||
| 1900 | #529 | |||
| 1901 | #718 | |||
| 1902 | #502 | |||
| 1903 | #650 | |||
| 1904 | #676 | |||
| 1905 | #520 | |||
| 1906 | #406 | |||
| 1907 | #632 | |||
| 1908 | #487 | |||
| 1909 | #529 | |||
| 1910 | #477 | |||
| 1911 | #360 | |||
| 1912 | #417 | |||
| 1913 | #365 | |||
| 1914 | #337 | |||
| 1915 | #349 | |||
| 1916 | #350 | |||
| 1917 | #363 | #145 | ||
| 1918 | #369 | |||
| 1919 | #313 | |||
| 1920 | #304 | |||
| 1921 | #298 | #125 | ||
| 1922 | #278 | #145 | ||
| 1923 | #286 | |||
| 1924 | #290 | #155 | ||
| 1925 | #271 | #110 | ||
| 1926 | #256 | #135 | ||
| 1927 | #236 | #101 | ||
| 1928 | #223 | #120 | ||
| 1929 | #233 | #107 | ||
| 1930 | #208 | #127 | ||
| 1931 | #187 | #101 | ||
| 1932 | #172 | #107 | ||
| 1933 | #173 | #96 | ||
| 1934 | #160 | #91 | ||
| 1935 | #149 | #92 | ||
| 1936 | #152 | #88 | ||
| 1937 | #151 | #91 | ||
| 1938 | #133 | #74 | ||
| 1939 | #122 | #81 | ||
| 1940 | #133 | #74 | ||
| 1941 | #127 | #73 | ||
| 1942 | #121 | #72 | ||
| 1943 | #118 | #68 | ||
| 1944 | #123 | #62 | ||
| 1945 | #105 | #51 | ||
| 1946 | #93 | #51 | ||
| 1947 | #94 | #52 | ||
| 1948 | #92 | #58 | ||
| 1949 | #87 | #50 | ||
| 1950 | #88 | #61 | ||
| 1951 | #84 | #64 | ||
| 1952 | #84 | #65 | ||
| 1953 | #58 | #62 | ||
| 1954 | #66 | #70 | ||
| 1955 | #65 | #77 | ||
| 1956 | #65 | #75 | ||
| 1957 | #70 | #74 | ||
| 1958 | #65 | #75 | ||
| 1959 | #67 | #75 | ||
| 1960 | #68 | #69 | ||
| 1961 | #72 | #87 | ||
| 1962 | #76 | #91 | ||
| 1963 | #76 | #85 | ||
| 1964 | #59 | #83 | #262 | |
| 1965 | #33 | #74 | #205 | |
| 1966 | #35 | #46 | #227 | |
| 1967 | #37 | #42 | #243 | |
| 1968 | #42 | #52 | #159 | |
| 1969 | #49 | #70 | #138 | |
| 1970 | #55 | #75 | #171 | |
| 1971 | #59 | #76 | #156 | |
| 1972 | #65 | #94 | #137 | |
| 1973 | #68 | #106 | #161 | |
| 1974 | #72 | #100 | #194 | |
| 1975 | #76 | #119 | #145 | |
| 1976 | #88 | #131 | #217 | |
| 1977 | #97 | #113 | #177 | |
| 1978 | #102 | #112 | #229 | |
| 1979 | #117 | #127 | #243 | |
| 1980 | #121 | #136 | #282 | |
| 1981 | #135 | #167 | #316 | |
| 1982 | #145 | #171 | ||
| 1983 | #161 | #169 | #323 | |
| 1984 | #165 | #169 | #314 | |
| 1985 | #168 | #195 | ||
| 1986 | #166 | #209 | ||
| 1987 | #171 | #308 | ||
| 1988 | #162 | #293 | ||
| 1989 | #177 | #326 | ||
| 1990 | #181 | |||
| 1991 | #198 | #354 | #365 | |
| 1992 | #210 | #374 | ||
| 1993 | #225 | #384 | ||
| 1994 | #244 | #432 | ||
| 1995 | #256 | #328 | #430 | |
| 1996 | #267 | #538 | ||
| 1997 | #280 | #566 | ||
| 1998 | #319 | #272 | #707 | |
| 1999 | #321 | #588 | ||
| 2000 | #342 | #860 | ||
| 2001 | #358 | #710 | ||
| 2002 | #370 | #947 | ||
| 2003 | #379 | #659 | ||
| 2004 | #432 | #830 | ||
| 2005 | #447 | |||
| 2006 | #447 | |||
| 2007 | #438 | |||
| 2008 | #503 | |||
| 2009 | #494 | |||
| 2010 | #549 | #819 | ||
| 2011 | #554 | |||
| 2012 | #594 | |||
| 2013 | #629 | |||
| 2014 | #697 | |||
| 2015 | #716 | |||
| 2016 | #719 | |||
| 2017 | #782 | |||
| 2018 | #821 | |||
| 2019 | #854 | |||
| 2020 | #864 | |||
| 2021 | #962 | |||
| 2022 | #990 |
Top names by country: United States · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Rodney
Names Similar to Rodney
Nicknames for Rodney
- Rod
- Roddy
- Ney
- Rods
- Rodders
Famous People Named Rodney
| Rodney Dangerfield | American comedian and actor |
| Rodney Mullen | American professional skateboarder |
| Rodney Atkins | American country music artist |
| Rodney Harrison | Former American football player |
| Rodney Hood | American professional basketball player |
| Rodney King | Iconic figure in the civil rights movement |
| Rodney Alcala | Infamous American serial killer |
| Rodney Marsh | English former professional footballer |
| Rodney Scott | American pitmaster and barbecue chef |
| Rodney McGruder | American professional basketball player |
| Rodney Smith Jr. | Founder of the non-profit organization Raising Men Lawn Care Service |
| Rodney Brooks | Australian roboticist and entrepreneur |
| Rodney Culver | Former American football player |
| Rodney Peete | Former American football quarterback |
| Rodney McCray | Former American professional basketball player |
| Rodney Redes | Paraguayan professional soccer player |
| Rodney Purvis | American professional basketball player |
| Rodney Anderson | American college football player |
| Rodney Gilstrap | United States federal judge |
Characters Named Rodney
| Rodney "Hot Rod" Dunham | Character from the movie "Hot Rod" |
| Rodney Farva | Character from the movie "Super Troopers" |
| Rodney St. Cloud | Character from the TV series "Everybody Hates Chris" |
| Rodney Navarro | Character from the TV series "Archer" |
| Rodney Copperbottom | Main character in the animated film "Robots" |
| Rodney McKay | Character from the TV series "Stargate Atlantis" |
| Rodney Harrington | Character from the TV series "Peyton Place" |
| Rodney Ruxin | Character from the TV series "The League" |
| Rodney Trotter | Character from the British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses" |
| Rodney Skinner | Character from the TV series "The New Avengers" |
| Rodney Hatfield | Character from the TV series "Blue Bloods" |
| Rodney Capstick | Character from the TV series "Foyle's War" |
| Rodney Glick | Character from the movie "The School of Rock" |