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The short answer
Rocky is a masculine name used in English. Behind the Name describes it this way: "Diminutive of Rocco and other names beginning with a similar sound, or else a nickname referring to a tough person. This is the name of the boxer Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone) in the movie Rocky (1976) and its sequels." It ranked #568 for boys in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, diminutive of Rocco and other names beginning with a similar sound, or else a nickname referring to a tough person. This is the name of the boxer Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone) in the movie Rocky (1976) and its sequels. The entry lists its usage as English.
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Rocky ranked #568 for boys in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #568 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (English) and that sit near Rocky in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rocky mean?
Behind the Name does not give Rocky a one-word meaning. It describes the name as follows: diminutive of Rocco and other names beginning with a similar sound, or else a nickname referring to a tough person.
Is Rocky a popular name?
Rocky ranked #568 for boys in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Rocky a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Rocky appears in the boys' list; Behind the Name labels it masculine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Rocky — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
