UK girl's name
Roche
French name originating from the word for "rock or stone".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2006. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Roche is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Roche popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2006 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5061, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1998 to 2006. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Roche. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2007 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Roche ranked #5061 for girls in England and Wales in 2006, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 girls were registered as Roche.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Roche as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5061
2006
Births in 2006
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
4 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Meaning
What does Roche mean?
The name Roche has its origins in the French language, deriving from the Old French word "roche," which means "rock" or "rocky place." This name likely emerged during the Middle Ages in various regions of France.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Roche can be traced back to the 12th century. One notable figure bearing this name was Roche de Vendeuvre, a 12th-century French nobleman and crusader who participated in the Third Crusade under King Richard I of England.
In the 13th century, the name Roche appeared in religious texts and records, such as the mention of Roche d'Arles, a 13th-century Archbishop of Arles in southern France.
During the Renaissance period, the name Roche gained prominence through the works of French writers and poets. Notably, François Roche (1494-1550), a French Renaissance poet and playwright, contributed to the literary legacy associated with this name.
In the 17th century, the name Roche was linked to scientific and medical advancements. One notable figure was Étienne de la Roche (1592-1654), a French physician and botanist known for his contributions to the study of plants and their medicinal properties.
As the name Roche spread across Europe, it was also adopted in other languages and cultures. For instance, the Italian form of the name, Rocco, gained popularity, with notable figures such as Rocco di Montpellier (1248-1327), a 13th-century Italian Catholic saint and patron of the falsely accused.
Other notable individuals with the name Roche throughout history include: 1. John Roche (1617-1677), an English Catholic priest and poet. 2. Roche de Fermoy (1650-1736), an Irish soldier and landowner. 3. Roche Aymon (1782-1861), a French military officer and writer. 4. Roche Sanfuentes (1917-1985), a Chilean politician and lawyer. 5. Roche Gardies (1933-2023), a French philosopher and academic.
The name Roche has a rich history, spanning various cultures and time periods, and has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including nobility, religious figures, writers, scientists, and military leaders.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Roche over time
The chart below shows babies named Roche registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2006. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Roche, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2006, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Roche by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Roche was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4098 | 11 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3874 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Roche
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Roche: questions and answers
How popular is the name Roche in the UK right now?
In 2006, Roche was ranked #5061 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Roche most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Roche in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Roche?
French name originating from the word for "rock or stone".
How many people are called Roche in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Roche across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.