Boy name · Germanic
Roger
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: famous spearRoger is a boy's name that comes from Germanic and means "famous spear". It is used in English and French.
- Meaning
- Famous spear
- Origin
- Germanic
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #834 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Roger
As a boy's name, Roger comes from Germanic and means "famous spear". It is used in English and French.
In French, say roh-ZHAY. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Roger on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Roger on 3 lists.
“Famous spear; Germanic. Say roh-ZHAY”
From French boy names, vintage French boy names
“Famous spear; Germanic. A Norman count who conquered Sicily, 11th century”
From Medieval names and surnames, medieval male names from England and France
“Famous spear; Germanic, kin to Hrothgar of Beowulf”
From Names that mean warrior, names that mean spear, sword or arrow
How popular is Roger?
- US rank in 2025
- #834
- 297 babies, 174 per million boys
- Best rank
- #22 in 1945
- Most babies: 13,172 in 1953
- Babies since 1880
- At least 442,142
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 312 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 532 per million |
| 1900s | 684 per million |
| 1910s | 1,260 per million |
| 1920s | 1,974 per million |
| 1930s | 4,695 per million |
| 1940s | 7,228 per million |
| 1950s | 5,449 per million |
| 1960s | 3,709 per million |
| 1970s | 1,799 per million |
| 1980s | 975 per million |
| 1990s | 547 per million |
| 2000s | 319 per million |
| 2010s | 238 per million |
| 2020s | 201 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #645 | #627 | #637 | #695 | #685 | #685 | #750 | #760 | #749 | #834 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Roger
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- RogelioFamous spear (Germanic, boy)
- RogérioFamous spear (Germanic, boy)
- RüdigerFamous spear (Germanic, boy)
- RuggeroFamous spear (Germanic, boy)
- RutgerFamous spear (Germanic, boy)
Names spelled like Roger
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Names with a similar meaning
- LouiseFamous warrior (Germanic, girl)
- BertaBright, famous (Germanic, girl)
- EdgarWealthy spear (Old English, boy)
- ClotildeFamous battle (Germanic, girl)
- GerardBrave spear (Germanic, boy)
- GerhardBrave spear (Germanic, boy)
- GertrudeSpear of strength (Germanic, girl)
- LouisFamous warrior (Germanic, boy)
- LuisaFamous warrior (Germanic, girl)
- RolandFamous land (Germanic, boy)
Middle names for Roger
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Germanic
- HugoHeart, mind (Germanic, boy)
- LiamShort for William, will helmet (Germanic, boy)
- LambertBright land (Germanic, boy)
- LeonardoBrave lion (Germanic, boy)
- AlaricRuler of all (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertoNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- ArmandoArmy man (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoEagle (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoldEagle power (Germanic, boy)
Roger: common questions
What does the name Roger mean?
Roger comes from Germanic and means "famous spear".
Is Roger a boy or girl name?
Roger is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Roger come from?
Roger comes from Germanic and means "famous spear". Today it is used in English and French.
How popular is the name Roger?
Roger ranked #834 in the US in 2025, with 297 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Roger?
Forms of Roger with the same meaning and origin include Rogelio (Spanish), Rogério (Portuguese), Rüdiger (German), Ruggero (Italian) and Rutger (Dutch).
What middle names go with Roger?
Middle names that flow well with Roger include Archer, Augustus, Jonah, Joseph and Lance. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.