Find out how popular the first name Rodgers has been for the last 7 years (from 1975 to 1981) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rodgers by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Rodgers is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1981, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rodgers.

The history of the first name Rodgers

The name Rodgers is derived from the Old Germanic root word "hrod," which means "fame" or "renown." It likely originated in the early medieval period, around the 5th to 8th centuries, as Germanic tribes spread across Europe. The name was initially spelled with variations such as Hrodgar, Hrodger, and Rodger, before settling on the modern spelling of Rodgers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the epic poem Beowulf, which dates back to between the 8th and 11th centuries. In the poem, Hrodgar is the name of the Danish king who built the famous mead-hall, Heorot. This literary reference suggests that the name was already in use among Germanic peoples during the early medieval period.

In the 12th century, a prominent figure named Rodger de Beaumont served as the Bishop of St. Andrews in Scotland. He played a significant role in the ecclesiastical and political affairs of the time, further cementing the name's presence in historical records.

During the Renaissance, the name gained popularity in England and other parts of Europe. One notable individual was Rodger Ascham (1515-1568), an English scholar and tutor to Queen Elizabeth I. He was renowned for his work on education and his advocacy for the use of vernacular languages in teaching.

In the 17th century, Rodger Williams (1603-1683) was an English Protestant theologian and a key figure in the establishment of the colony of Rhode Island. He was a champion of religious freedom and is considered one of the founding fathers of the United States.

Another notable bearer of the name was Rodgers Brewster (1839-1919), an American architect who designed several significant buildings in Washington, D.C., including the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the United States National Museum (now the Arts and Industries Building).

While the name Rodgers has its roots in the Old Germanic language, it has spread across various cultures and regions over the centuries, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields, from literature and education to religion and architecture.

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 Rodgers was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!