Find out how popular the first name Rowdy has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rowdy by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rowdy is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Rowdy being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 216 male babies and 14 female babies born with the name Rowdy.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 14 baby girls were named Rowdy in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Rowdy

The name Rowdy has its origins in American English, emerging in the late 19th century. It is derived from the word "rowdy," which means noisy, disorderly, or rough in behavior. The name is thought to have been coined as a descriptive nickname for boisterous or unruly individuals, likely in reference to their personalities or actions.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Rowdy can be found in the 1898 novel "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. In the book, a character named Rowdy Jenks is mentioned, though his full name is not provided. This suggests that the name was in use, albeit perhaps as a nickname, in the late 19th century.

The first known person to be officially given the name Rowdy was Rowdy Bates, an American baseball player born in 1899. Bates played for several minor league teams throughout the 1920s and 1930s, earning his nickname due to his fiery temperament on the field.

Another notable individual named Rowdy was Rowdy Yates, a character portrayed by Clint Eastwood in the 1959-1965 television series "Rawhide." Rowdy Yates was a trail scout and ramrod on a cattle drive, known for his rough-and-tumble personality. This fictional character likely contributed to the popularization of the name in the mid-20th century.

In the world of professional wrestling, Rodney Piper, better known as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (1954-2015), was a iconic figure. Piper's brash and confrontational persona earned him the nickname "Rowdy," which he embraced and incorporated into his ring name.

Rowdy Gaines, an American swimmer born in 1959, is another individual who carried the name. Gaines won three gold medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and was known for his energetic and enthusiastic personality, fitting the "rowdy" moniker.

While the name Rowdy is relatively uncommon, it has been used throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, often as a nod to its connotations of spiritedness and liveliness. Its unique and descriptive nature has made it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name that captures a sense of energy and individuality.

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

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

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