Given name & surname
Rodger
“fame-spear”
Rodger is a masculine given name from Roger.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Rodger is a form of Roger. Roger goes back to Proto-Germanic *Hrōþigaizaz, meaning “fame-spear.”
Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where it comes from
Rodger is a variant of Roger. An origin associated with Roger is Germanic.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1891. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Rodger is a variant of Roger. The history of Roger gives this family its wider story. Roger’s historical bearers include members of the aristocracy.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Rodger through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 21,556
- 21,556 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1949
- 680 babies
- 2025
- 18
- #5,353 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −32%
- Easing
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 18 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 5,353 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 31.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 680 in 1949. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 14,950 as a first name in 2020; 1,405 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Rodger’s family of names
In English usage, Rodger has a diminutive in Roddy. Rodger has a surname derivative in RODGERSON. Rodger has a related form in Roger.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Rodger has relatives in 3 languages.
5 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 4
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Rodger
- Rodger BumpassAmerican actorborn 1951
- Rodger WardAmerican racecar driver1921–2004
- Rodger YoungMedal of Honor recipient (1918–1943)
- Rodger CorserAustralian actor and television presenterborn 1973
- Rodger BainBritish record producerborn 1945
- Rodger DoxseyAmerican astronomer (1947–2009)
- Rodger SaffoldAmerican football player (born 1988)
- Rodger SmithCanadian ice hockey player (1896-1935)
- Rodger McHargUmpireborn 1947
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Rodger, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Rollie
“from the renowned land”
>99% boys
Ronny
“displaying her true image” · “song of Joy”
99% boys · 1% girls
Rockland
“from the rocky land”
>99% boys
Randolph
“the wolf shield”
>99% boys
Ronnie
“song of Joy” · “displaying her true image”
76% boys · 24% girls
Ronal
“the king's advisor”
>99% boys
Rock
“one who is calm; restful”
>99% boys
Rody
Rody is a masculine given name from English. It is used in Tagalog and Cebuano.
>99% boys