Rocco is an Italian masculine given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the ancient German name Hrocus, which is composed of the elements "hrod" meaning "fame" or "renown," and "wulf" meaning "wolf." Therefore, Rocco means "famous wolf."
The name Rocco has been used in Italy for centuries and it gained popularity during the Middle Ages. It was often given to children born into noble families, as it conveyed a sense of strength and power associated with the wolf.
Some famous people named Rocco include the Italian actor Rocco Siffredi, known for his work in adult films, and the American football player Rocco Baldelli, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite its Germanic origins, Rocco has been predominantly used in Italy and other Southern European countries.
In terms of popularity, Rocco peaked in the late 20th century but has since declined in usage. However, it remains a popular choice among parents looking for unique and strong-sounding names with historical significance.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe a fascinating trend regarding the name Rocco over the years in the United States.
Initially, the name Rocco was not very popular, with only single-digit numbers of births per year from 1891 to 1925. However, starting around 1926, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Rocco. From 1930 onwards, the number of annual births with the name Rocco began to fluctuate more significantly, ranging between 123 and 47 births per year.
Beginning in the late 1950s, we see a consistent rise in the popularity of the name Rocco, reaching triple-digit numbers for the first time in 1956. This trend continued throughout the following decades, with the number of annual births with the name Rocco ranging from 235 to 785 between 1959 and 2009.
The peak popularity of the name Rocco occurred relatively recently, with a total of 785 births in 2009. Since then, the popularity of the name has remained high, with approximately 600-700 births per year from 2010 to 2013.
In recent years, there has been a slight decrease in the popularity of the name Rocco, but it remains popular nonetheless. Between 2014 and 2023, the number of annual births with the name Rocco has ranged between 576 and 589.
Overall, while the name Rocco experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, its peak popularity occurred around the turn of the 21st century. Today, it continues to be a popular choice for parents naming their newborns in the United States.