The nameRoger
Roger is a Norman name meaning "famous spear". It was a top 25 American name in the 1940s.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Roger comes from the Germanic hrod, "fame", and ger, "spear".
Origin
Germanic, through Norman French.
History
The Normans brought Roger to England in 1066. In the United States it reached 22nd place in 1945. Roger Federer made it famous worldwide.
Did you know?
- In 1954 Roger Bannister became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes.
- Roger Federer won Wimbledon eight times, a men's record.
- On the radio, "Roger" means "received", because R was spoken as Roger in the old radio alphabet.
Famous people named Roger
- Roger Federer, tennis player
- Roger Moore, actor
- Roger Bannister, athlete
- Roger Bacon, philosopher
Popularity of the name Roger
Roger in the United States
Roger was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 110,438 births over the decade, 25% of all recorded babies named Roger. Its rise began around 1918, and it peaked in 1953. Half of all babies named Roger in the United States were born before 1952, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 358 births a year.
Roger in Ireland
Roger was most popular in Ireland in the 1970s, with 255 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Roger. Half of all babies named Roger in Ireland were born before 1975, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Roger in France
Roger in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Roger
Names from the same generation as Roger, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Roger? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Roger with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Roger side by side with the name of your choice.
Roger in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Roger mean?
Roger comes from the Germanic hrod, "fame", and ger, "spear".
What is the origin of the name Roger?
Germanic, through Norman French.
Is Roger a girl's or a boy's name?
Roger is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Roger?
In 2024, Roger was the 748th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 340 births.
What are the variants of the name Roger?
Variants and related names of Roger include Rogério.
What are good sibling names for Roger?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Linda, Carla, Charlene and Deborah for a sister, Albert, Rudy, Frank and Ernest for a brother.
Who are famous people named Roger?
Roger Federer, tennis player; Roger Moore, actor; Roger Bannister, athlete; Roger Bacon, philosopher.