Find out how popular the first name Roc has been for the last 33 years (from 1991 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Roc by gender

Based on the last 33 years of data, Roc is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Roc.

The history of the first name Roc

The name Roc has its origins in the Middle Eastern mythological creature known as the Roc, a legendary bird of tremendous size and strength. This mythical creature was first mentioned in the famous collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, "One Thousand and One Nights," also known as "The Arabian Nights." The tales were originally compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age, roughly between the 8th and 13th centuries.

The word "Roc" is derived from the Persian word "rukhkh," which means "a huge bird." The Roc was said to be capable of carrying elephants in its talons and was often described as a massive bird with wings spanning several miles in length. This mythical creature has captured the imagination of writers and storytellers across cultures for centuries.

While the name Roc is not directly mentioned in religious scriptures or ancient texts, it has become a popular name choice in various cultures due to its association with strength, power, and mythical grandeur. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Roc being used as a given name dates back to the 16th century.

Throughout history, there have been a few notable individuals who have borne the name Roc. One such figure was Roc Brazilier (1519-1598), a French explorer and navigator who accompanied Jacques Cartier on his voyages to North America in the 16th century. Another notable Roc was Roc Gandolfi (1870-1954), an Italian painter and sculptor known for his works in the Art Nouveau style.

In the literary world, Roc Braithwaite (1909-1984) was a British novelist and playwright who gained recognition for his works exploring themes of race and identity. Roc Kirby (1884-1964) was an American artist and illustrator best known for his contributions to the early years of the comic book industry.

Lastly, Roc Bottomley (1951-2022) was a British musician and songwriter who co-founded the influential punk rock band The Vibrators in the 1970s.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Roc was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Roc, please contact us.

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