Roddy
Boy name · 257 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Roddy: 257 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 11 births in 2009.
Roddy is a classic Scottish diminutive of Roderick, which comes from the Old Germanic name Hrodric, composed of *hrod* (fame) and *ric* (power, ruler)—so Roddy essentially means "famous ruler." The most famous bearer is undoubtedly Roddy Frame, the Scottish singer-songwriter and frontman of the 1980s band Aztec Camera, whose jangly pop hits like "Somewhere in My Heart" made him a household name. There's also Roddy McDowall, the acclaimed British-American actor known for roles in *How Green Was My Valley* and the *Planet of the Apes* films. Geographically, the name shares its root with the town of Roderick in Scotland, though no major place is directly named after a Roddy. Its playful, friendly sound makes it a perennial favourite in Scotland, especially as an informal alternative to the more formal Roderick.
Boy 45 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 200911 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #3679 babies
- Total births
- 257since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▲ 31%vs prior 5y