Roc
A boy's name with 279 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
a male given name, equivalent to English Rocco
Roc is a boy's baby name of Catalan origin, the Catalan form of Rocco — from the Germanic Hroc, meaning 'rest' or from a root related to rock. Saint Roch (c. 1295-1327) was a French pilgrim who devoted himself to caring for plague victims, and is venerated as a patron saint of the sick. Roc is also the legendary giant bird of Arabic mythology capable of carrying elephants.
Roc carries the double grandeur of the Catalan saint and the Arabic mythological bird — the pilgrim's devoted care for the suffering and the impossible creature that darkens the sky. A name of sacred service and mythological scale.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Roc belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Sound-alike names often cluster in style even when they come from different linguistic roots. The Similar Names section below uses letter and phonetic patterns to surface names in Roc’s sonic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Roc was #11059 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #12010, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 27 | #11270 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 87 | #8709 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 52 | #10645 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 31 | #8630 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 16 | #4337 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 66 | #2888 | — |
The Story of Roc
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2010, Roc is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Roc are most likely born between 2000 and 2020.
How rare is Roc?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Roc — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1952, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 87 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Roc by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1952–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #12010 |
| 2023 | 9 | #8779 |
| 2022 | 5 | #13914 |
| 2020 | 7 | #10377 |
| 2019 | 11 | #7534 |
| 2018 | 10 | #8037 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9508 |
| 2015 | 9 | #8582 |
| 2014 | 8 | #9442 |
| 2013 | 13 | #6540 |
| 2012 | 5 | #13804 |
| 2011 | 9 | #8631 |
| 2010 | 14 | #6305 |
| 2009 | 6 | #12165 |
| 2007 | 7 | #10656 |
| 2006 | 7 | #10429 |
| 2005 | 6 | #11175 |
| 2004 | 6 | #11059 |
| 2003 | 7 | #9401 |
| 2002 | 5 | #12122 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roc a boy's or girl's name?
When was Roc most popular?
How popular is the name Roc?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1952–2024