boys' name · peaked 1944

Rochester

Every Rochester since 1914 — 463 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.010.010.020.0218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1944Boys
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Rochester
Peak year
1944
22 babies
All-time total
463
since 1914

The story of Rochester

Rochester is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1914, 463 American babies have been named Rochester. Its peak came in 1944, when 22 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Rochester stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Rochester year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995
1990
1985
1980
1975
1970
1965 10 #2,738
1960
1955 9 #2,936
1950 8 #2,981
1945 10 #2,365
1940 13 #2,065
1935 5 #4,058
1930 9 #2,972
1925 7 #3,674
1920 7 #3,758
1915 7 #3,337
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Rochester in 2025?

Rochester did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Rochester?

463 babies have been named Rochester in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Rochester most popular?

Rochester peaked in 1944, when 22 newborns received the name.

Is Rochester a boy or girl name?

Rochester is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Rochester rising or falling?

Rochester has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Rochester

Compare Rochester with similar names →