Rook
Primarily a boy's name of Old Norse origin with 636 recorded births. Also given to 25 girls.
Meaning & Origin
raven (bird)
Rook is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old Norse origin, from the word for 'raven' or 'crow,' birds long associated with wisdom, mystery, and keen intelligence in Norse and Celtic mythology. As a name it has the bold, one-syllable confidence of modern word names like Hawk and Fox.
EtymologyShow more
Rook is built from 4 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Old Norse naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Rook creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Rook climbed 8684 spots in the last 20 years — from #11068 to #2384.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 264 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 312 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 60 | — |
The Story of Rook
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Rook is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Rook are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Rook?
Only about 1 in every 61,017 babies born in 2024 was named Rook — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2001, peaked in the 2010s with 312 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Rook by the numbers
- Would fill 13 school buses
- Meeting one Rook per day would take 1.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(23 years, 2001–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 59 | #2384 |
| 2023 | 71 | #2091 |
| 2022 | 53 | #2582 |
| 2021 | 45 | #2809 |
| 2020 | 36 | #3190 |
| 2019 | 48 | #2684 |
| 2018 | 30 | #3682 |
| 2017 | 31 | #3572 |
| 2016 | 30 | #3664 |
| 2015 | 38 | #3075 |
| 2014 | 40 | #2922 |
| 2013 | 30 | #3564 |
| 2012 | 25 | #4102 |
| 2011 | 20 | #4790 |
| 2010 | 20 | #4807 |
| 2009 | 5 | #14080 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6334 |
| 2007 | 8 | #9589 |
| 2006 | 8 | #9398 |
| 2005 | 7 | #9926 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Rook as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Rook has also been given to 25 girls in the U.S. since 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rook a boy's or girl's name?
When was Rook most popular?
How popular is the name Rook?
Can Rook be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2001–2024