UK boy's name
Rock
A masculine name inspired by the solid, durable mineral substance.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rock is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rock popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4810, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 4 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2002 to 2016. 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 13 living people in the UK are called Rock. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rock ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 4 boys were registered as Rock.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rock as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4810
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
4 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Meaning
What does Rock mean?
The given name Rock has its origins rooted in the Old English word "rocc," which was derived from the Old Norse word "rokkr." This word referred to a rock or stone, and its usage as a name likely symbolized strength, stability, and steadfastness. The name has been in use since the 9th century, primarily in England and other Germanic regions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rock can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as Rocco, Roc, and Rocke, indicating its widespread use during that time period.
In religious texts, the name Rock is sometimes associated with the biblical reference to Peter, whose name means "rock" in Greek (Petros). This allusion was made to signify Peter as the foundation upon which Christ would build his church, as mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Rock. One of the earliest was Rock of Cambrai (c. 790 - 856), a Benedictine monk and the first abbot of the Abbey of St. Vaast in Arras, France. Another was Rock of Remiremont (c. 1020 - 1094), a Benedictine abbot and bishop of Toul in present-day France.
During the Middle Ages, Rock was a relatively common name, particularly among the nobility and landed gentry. For instance, Rock de Lacy (c. 1170 - 1238) was a prominent Anglo-Norman baron and constable of Chester in England. Another example is Rock Millington (c. 1275 - 1350), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire.
In more recent times, the name Rock has been associated with various individuals from different walks of life. One notable example is Rock Hudson (1925 - 1985), an American actor who became a leading man in Hollywood during the 1950s and 1960s, starring in numerous romantic comedies and dramas.
Another prominent figure bearing the name is Rock Demers (1932 - 2021), a Canadian former ice hockey player and coach. He played for the Montreal Canadiens and won six Stanley Cup championships as a player and coach.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rock over time
The chart below shows babies named Rock registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rock, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rock by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rock 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4696 | 9 | 3 |
| 2000s | #2636 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Rock
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rock: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rock in the UK right now?
In 2016, Rock was ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rock most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 4 babies registered as Rock in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rock?
A masculine name inspired by the solid, durable mineral substance.
How many people are called Rock in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Rock across the 4 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.