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Rodrigo

♂ Boy

Pronounced rod-REE-goh /roʊˈdriː.ɡoʊ/High

Meaning: Spanish and Portuguese form of Roderick, from Old High German 'Hroderich' composed of 'hrod' (fame, glory) and 'ric' (power, ruler), meaning 'famous ruler' or 'glorious king'High

In 30 seconds: Rodrigo is the grand Spanish and Portuguese form of Roderick, meaning 'famous ruler.' With a rich Iberian heritage and the distinction of El Cid, Spain's greatest hero, it rolls off the tongue with unmistakable power.
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Origin HighSpanish, Germanic, Portuguese
MeaningSpanish and Portuguese form of Roderick, from Old High German 'Hroderich' composed of 'hrod' (fame, glory) and 'ric' (power, ruler), meaning 'famous ruler' or 'glorious king'
U.S. rank (2025)#492 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births614 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 27,753

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200719182025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Rodrigo is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Roderick, from Old High German Hroderich, composed of hrod (fame, glory) and ric (power, ruler). The name was brought to the Iberian Peninsula through Visigothic rulers, including the last Visigothic king Roderic, who ruled when the Moorish conquest began in 711 AD.

Rodrigo has been one of the major names in Spanish and Portuguese history for over a millennium. In the United States it is widely used in Hispanic communities and appears regularly in national naming charts. The name carries the chivalric romance of medieval Spain while remaining warm and accessible.

Did you know? El Cid — the legendary 11th-century Spanish military hero — was born Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar. His exploits fighting both for and against Moorish rulers made him Spain's national hero, and his name Rodrigo became forever associated with Spanish chivalry and martial glory.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Rodrigo — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RoderickRuyRodrig

Nicknames

RodriRodiRod

Famous Bearers

  • ★Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (El Cid) (c. 1043–1099)
    11th-century Spanish military hero and national legend, subject of the epic poem El Cantar de Mio Cid

If you like Rodrigo…

Rafael— shares the classic Iberian Catholic heritage and the three-syllable Romance sound
Alejandro— another major Spanish name with the same enduring medieval-to-modern appeal
Diego— shares the warm Spanish tradition and the same cultural depth in Hispanic communities
Emiliano— shares the flowing three-syllable Spanish classic character

Frequently Asked

What does Rodrigo mean?

Rodrigo means 'famous ruler' or 'glorious king,' from Old High German 'hrod' (fame) and 'ric' (ruler). It is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Roderick.

How do you pronounce Rodrigo?

Rodrigo is pronounced rod-REE-goh /roʊˈdriː.ɡoʊ/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Who was El Cid?

El Cid, born Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (c. 1043–1099), was Spain's greatest medieval hero — a military commander who fought both Christian and Muslim rulers and became Spain's national symbol of chivalry.

Is Rodrigo a popular name?

Rodrigo is widely used throughout Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, and is a consistent presence in U.S. Hispanic community naming charts.