boys' name · peaked 1957

Rocky

A diminutive of the male given names Robert, Ricky, Rocco, Roch, and Rock.

Every Rocky since 1913 — 29,134 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
0.130.250.380.518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#568
among boys
Babies in 2025
563
named Rocky
Peak year
1957
920 babies
All-time total
29,134
since 1913

The story of Rocky

Rocky is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #568 in 2025 with 520 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1913, 29,134 American babies have been named Rocky. Its peak came in 1957, when 920 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.

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 Rocky stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Rocky year by year

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

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 43 #3,564 520 #568
2024 40 #3,805 419 #656
2023 31 #4,539 263 #886
2022 36 #4,094 268 #884
2021 27 #4,934 266 #870
2020 22 #5,624 264 #860
2019 16 #7,283 267 #843
2018 13 #8,520 237 #910
2017 10 #10,554 217 #960
2016 217 #955
2015 6 #16,040 231 #927
2014 211 #989
2013 197 #998
2012 188 #1,034
2011 186 #1,027
2010 164 #1,136
2009 187 #1,032
2008 197 #994
2007 216 #918
2006 189 #983
2005 180 #971
2004 159 #1,033
2003 160 #995
2002 148 #1,042
2001 159 #972
2000 172 #905
1995 190 #781
1990 235 #657
1985 411 #423
1980 9 #7,247 599 #320
1975 334 #430
1970 6 #7,773 254 #506
1965 7 #5,690 371 #410
1960 12 #3,874 858 #273
1955 8 #4,659 858 #240
1950 6 #5,177 300 #388
1945 85 #655
1940 22 #1,463
1935 26 #1,348
1930 18 #1,804
1925 18 #1,923
1920 20 #1,807
1915 9 #2,788
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Rocky

  1. Rocky Marciano Boxer · 1923–1969
  2. Rocky Johnson Wrestler · 1944–2020
  3. Rocky Graziano Boxer · 1919–1990
  4. Rocky Carroll Actor · b. 1963
  5. Rocky Gray Musician · b. 1974

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Rocky mean?

A diminutive of the male given names Robert, Ricky, Rocco, Roch, and Rock.

How popular is the name Rocky in 2025?

Rocky ranked #568 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 520 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Rocky?

29,134 babies have been named Rocky in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Rocky most popular?

Rocky peaked in 1957, when 920 newborns received the name.

Is Rocky a boy or girl name?

Rocky is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Rocky rising or falling?

Rocky is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Rocky?

Well-known people named Rocky include Rocky Marciano (boxer), Rocky Johnson (wrestler), Rocky Graziano (boxer).

Names like Rocky

Compare Rocky with similar names →