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Roderick

Boy name · 679 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Roderick: 679 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 59 births in 1976.

Of Old German origin, Roderick comes from the elements *hrod* meaning "fame" and *ric* meaning "power" or "ruler," so the name essentially means "famous ruler" or "renowned power." It was introduced to Britain by the Normans and has long been popular in Scotland, thanks partly to the legendary outlaw Roderick Dhu in Sir Walter Scott's poem *The Lady of the Lake*. Notable bearers include Tobias Smollett’s picaresque hero Roderick Random, and Roderick Maclean, the last person to attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria. The name also has strong Scottish variants: Ruaridh, Rory, and the more Anglicised Roddy. Though no major places are named after a bearer, the root *hrod* appears in many other names, including Roger and Robert.