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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rod

Rod

♂ Boy

Pronounced ROD /ˈrɒd/High

Meaning: A short form of Roderick, from Germanic elements hrod ('fame') and ric ('power, ruler') — 'famous power' — or of Rodney, an English surname/place name. Used independently mid-century.Medium

In 30 seconds: Rod is a short form of Roderick, 'famous power,' or of Rodney (said 'ROD').
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Origin MediumGermanic, English
MeaningA short form of Roderick, from Germanic elements hrod ('fame') and ric ('power, ruler') — 'famous power' — or of Rodney, an English surname/place name. Used independently mid-century.
U.S. rank (2023)#10573 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1960
Total births (all-time)≈ 8,744

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196019102023

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Rod is a short form of Roderick, from the Germanic for 'famous power,' or of Rodney. Popular as a standalone name in the mid-twentieth century — an era fond of blunt, friendly short names — it crested around 1960 and then slipped away, now a retro single-syllable pick.

Given to several hundred boys a year at its height, Rod now reads as a vintage short form.

Did you know? Rod peaked around 1960 and faded within a couple of decades, a crisp mid-century short form used on its own.
Overall data confidence 76%
References — Rod — Short form of Roderick/Rodney

Variations

RoddRoddyRoderick

Nicknames

Roddy

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rod…

Roderick— the parent name Rod shortens
Rodney— a co-source name
Chip— a like blunt mid-century short name
Dell— a like retro one-syllable name

Explore names like Rod

By themeshortvintage1960sgermanic-root

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rod mean?

Rod is a short form of Roderick, meaning 'famous power,' or of Rodney.

How do you pronounce Rod?

It's said ROD /ˈrɒd/ — one syllable.

Is Rod a boy or girl name?

Rod is used as a boy's name.

Is Rod making a comeback?

Not notably — it's a mid-century favorite that has been uncommon on its own for decades, a vintage short form.

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