Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Roger

Roger comes to the English-speaking world via the old French (Frankish) name Rogier which originated from the Germanic elements “hrōd” meaning “fame” and “gār, gēr” meaning “spear”. The Normans adopted the name and introduced it to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Roger would eventually replace the similar Olde English masculine name Hrōðgār, a name of Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) origin with the same root etymology. Hrōðgār was the legendary 6th century Danish king immortalized in the 8th century Anglo-Saxon epic poem “Beowulf”; depicted as a brave and victorious warrior and an honest and generous ruler. Beowulf and his men are rewarded with treasures and loving gratitude by Hrōðgār after they defeat the monster Grendel and Beowulf becomes like a son to the king. The poet says that no man who wished to speak the truth could find fault with Hrōðgār: “…that none e’er condemneth / Who willeth to tell truth with full justice.” Clearly, a pretty upstanding guy! (For more famous Rogers, see historic references below). Roger became a very common boy’s name in medieval England and is ranked up there as one of the longest enduring, most time tested names in English history. This name is also used in France, but pronounced ro-ZHE. Other variations of Roger include Rutger (Dutch), Rüdiger (German), Ruggiero (Italian), Roar (Norwegian), and Rogério (Portuguese). In more recent years, the name Roger has become heavily used in Catalonia where it’s ranked on the Top 20 list of most popular boy’s names. Roger has deteriorated in usage among English-speakers since the late 20th century, although he will forever maintain a position of long lasting significance. We’ll leave you with one more interesting factoid: “Roger” was used as a slang term for the male penis between the mid-17th century and the late 19th century, most likely in reference to the name’s potentially phallic meaning (i.e., “famous spear”). In more modern times, “to roger” is colloquial speech for having sexual intercourse (as in “he gave her a good rogering”). It’s all in good fun.

All About the Baby Name – Roger

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME ROGER

The number Nine personality represents the completion or ending of the cycle, and a need for perfection. This is the personality that moves from "self" to a greater understanding and compassion for the human condition and the world order. They want to make the world a better place. Nines are capable of great spiritual and humanitarian achievements. They are courageous and fearless, able to fight great battles on behalf of worthy causes. These personalities will not tolerate injustice. They are compassionate people with a strong sensitivity to others. They are able to both educate and inspire. Friendships and relationships are the lifeblood to the Nine, and they place a high value on love and affection. Nines are often exceptionally gifted artistically, and they have a keen imagination and enterprising mind.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME ROGER

Roger has enjoyed a long and illustrious career on the American male naming charts. That is, until very recently. The U.S. government has only been tracking naming trends since 1880, so our data only goes back that far. In the late 19th century and at the turn of the 20th century, old Roger was used with relative moderation. It wasn’t until 1921 when he finally landed a spot on the Top 100 list of most commonly used boy names (and he would hold a position on that list for the next 55 years). The height of Roger’s popularity came in the 1930s, 40s and 50s when he was a Top 50 choice. The name reached its apex at position #22 on the charts in 1945. By the mid-1970s Roger was showing signs of age, and by the 1990s, this name started to drop like rocks. Considered out-dated and old-fashioned by today’s naming standards, Roger has deteriorated to a low-moderate position on the charts. In fact, today Roger is at his lowest ranking ever. We’re not sure why; it’s a bit perplexing actually. Roger is a strong and confident name – mighty like a “spear”. It’s one of those names that have become so uncool today we might even argue the opposite. There are scores of famous athletes and musicians bearing this name, including the tennis great Roger Federer. We also like the nicknames Rodge and Hodge. Roger is a great choice for Anglophile parents and those who appreciate history and tradition over fleeting fashions. It takes a brave parent to buck the trends and go with a name like Roger. Do you understand what we’re saying? Roger that.

Quick Facts

ON ROGER

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

558

PRONUNCIATION:

RAH-jər

SIMPLE MEANING:

Famous spear, Renowned by his sword

Characteristics

OF ROGER

Multi-talented

Intuitive

Oneness

Idealistic

Philanthropy

Independent

Perfection

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Roger

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ROGER

Roger Chillingworth is a major character in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 classic, The Scarlet Letter. In the Old World, Roger Prynne sends his much younger wife, Hester, ahead of him to the New World, while he stays behind to finish up business. Being delayed by several misfortunes over the period of two years, he arrives in Massachusetts, only to find that she has obviously betrayed him, and has born a child in that time. He changes his name to Roger Chillingworth, assumes the role of community doctor, and begins his years-long search for Hester’s partner-in-crime, whose name she will not reveal. Thus he morphs from a respectable businessman and loving husband into the very symbol of evil, as he ages and becomes more and more deformed as the thirst for vengeance drives him further and further astray. Roger Chillingworth has long been heralded as one of literature’s all time bad guys, but in our estimation, he really got a bad deal. He, after all, is not the one who was the adulterer. He is not the one who dallied with another man’s wife and sired a child out of wedlock. He is not the one who keeps that secret for years and years. Indeed, Roger makes it his life’s purpose to find out and punish his enemy, and becomes a dark force. Nonetheless, when Hester’s erstwhile lover finally makes himself known (on his proverbial deathbed, we might add), Roger actually repents his earlier trespasses and goes to his own eternal hereafter in peace, having repented and having left his considerable fortune to Hester’s daughter, Pearl. We’ll call it a draw, and assume that he finds a better deal in the next world.

Roger Hamley is an important character in Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel, Wives and Daughters, first published in serial form between 1864 and 1866. Roger is the younger son of the Squire of Hamley Hall, where the heroine, young Molly Gibson, a widowed doctor’s daughter, stays for a while. He becomes an intellectual mentor to her, and, when Molly’s father is entering into a remarriage about which she is concerned, Roger urges her to think of others more than of herself, advice which young Molly takes to heart. She also finds herself falling in love with him, all the while knowing that she is beneath his station in life. Roger, although the younger son, of whom less is expected than the elder, actually out-performs his brother, who is profligate and deceptive (one little case in point: a secret lower class wife and child in a little hideaway cottage). Roger excels at university and goes on to join a two year scientific expedition to Africa. Before he goes, however, he asks Molly’s step-sister to marry him upon his return. Steadfast little Molly must swallow her heartache, which she does, due to all that excellent mentoring. The step-sister rides out a scandal, marries someone else, and leaves the field open for Molly and Roger. Roger now realizes he has always loved Molly but feels unworthy of her, after having squandered his affections on another. He confides his feelings to Molly’s father, who heartily approves of his intentions, but Roger, alas, who is slated to return to Africa, falls ill with scarlet fever before he can speak to Molly – and hereupon Mrs. Gaskell died! Yes, that’s right, the authoress. Well, others, including the BBC, finished it for her, but we’re going to let you do the same.

Roger Rabbit is the title character in Robert Zemeckis’ hilariously enchanting 1988 live action/animated fantasy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, itself based on Gary K. Wolf’s 1981 novel , Who Censored Roger Rabbit?. Roger, a star at Maroon Cartoon Studios, suspects his wife, femme-fatale “toon”, Jessica, is having an affair with the studio mogul, the very human R. K. Maroon, and hires (human) private detective, Eddie Valiant, to check out his suspicions. Then Maroon turns up dead – whodunit? Featuring “guest appearances” from the likes of Bugs Bunny to Betty Boop, this romp pays tribute to the film noir of the forties, and to one of its later day adulators, Chinatown. (Eddie Valiant, in the course of his investigation, is required to revisit – gasp – Toontown!) Roger Rabbit is a delightful fellow with a knack for saying and doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, but we root for him all along, because he’s just a regular fellow, a good guy, and above all, a decent toon.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ROGER

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Roger


Popular Songs

ON ROGER

Watch Roger Do His Thing
a song by Main Source

Roger Wilco
a song by Shawn Colvin

Roger And Out
a song by Neil Young

Roger
a song by Dag Nasty

Jolly Roger
a song by Adam Ant

Roger That
a song by Young Money [explicit]

Famous People

NAMED ROGER

Roger Federer (tennis player)
Roger Daltrey (musician)
Roger Waters (musician)
Roger Clemens (baseball player)
Roger Bresnahan (baseball player)
Roger Connor (baseball player)
Roger Craig (baseball player)
Roger Maris (baseball player)
Roger Staubach (football player)
Roger Neilson (hockey player)
Roger Mayweather (boxer)
Roger Penske (racecar driver)
Roger Martin Du Gard (Nobel Prize Winner, literature)
Roger Williams (founder of Rhode Island)
Roger "Syd" Barrett (founder of Pink Floyd)
Roger Andrew (drummer for Duran Duran)
Roger Meddows-Taylor (drummer for Queen)
Roger McGuinn (singer and guitarist for The Byrds)
Roger Ebert (movie critic)
Roger Moore (actor)
Roger Vadim (French film director)
Roger Avary (screenplay writer and director)
Roger Bannister (first man to run the four minute mile)
Roger I of Sicily (Norman ruler of Sicily)
Roger II of Sicily (Norman ruler of Sicily)
Roger of Worcester (English Bishop)
Roger Bacon (English philosopher)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ROGER

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Roger

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ROGER

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Roger