Rucker first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Rucker has been for the last 16 years (from 2008 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Rucker

A masculine name derived from the Middle English word "rook", meaning "rook bird".

Popularity of Rucker by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Rucker is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rucker.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 5 0
2022 16 0
2021 12 0
2020 9 0
2019 15 0
2018 14 0
2017 9 0
2016 12 0
2015 8 0
2014 8 0
2013 11 0
2012 6 0
2011 5 0
2009 7 0
2008 5 0

The history of the first name Rucker

The name Rucker has its origins in the Germanic language, derived from the Old High German word "rucken," meaning "ridge" or "back." It emerged during the medieval period, likely as a surname for those residing near a prominent ridge or hill.

Early records of the name can be traced back to the 12th century in various German-speaking regions. One of the earliest documented instances is a mention of a knight named Rucker von Sternberg, who served under the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I in the 1180s.

As the name spread across Europe, it evolved into various spellings, such as Rucker, Rücker, and Ruckert. It gained popularity in certain regions, particularly in Germany and Switzerland, where it was often associated with rural communities and agricultural life.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rucker. One of the earliest recorded figures was Johannes Ruckert (1462-1531), a renowned German humanist and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of classical literature.

In the 17th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Georg Ruckert (1605-1668), a German composer and organist who contributed to the development of Protestant church music during the Baroque period.

Moving into the 19th century, Friedrich Ruckert (1788-1866) was a celebrated German poet, translator, and professor, known for his extensive works in both German and Oriental literature.

Another notable figure was Willy Rucker (1876-1970), a German aviator and pioneer in the field of aviation. He held several altitude records and made significant contributions to the advancement of aircraft design in the early 20th century.

In more recent times, the name Rucker has been associated with individuals in various fields, such as the American basketball player Robert Rucker (born 1937), who gained recognition for his skills on the street basketball courts of New York City.

While the name Rucker has its roots in the German language, it has since transcended borders and cultures, with individuals bearing this name leaving their mark in diverse areas, from literature and music to aviation and sports.

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

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

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"Rucker first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/rucker-meaning-and-history/.

"Rucker first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/rucker-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 June, 2025

Rucker first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/rucker-meaning-and-history/.

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