Cool and edgy meets sunny and beachy with this charming Italian option that might be more timeless than you think. Borne by St. Rocco, the 14th-century patron of the sick, known for helping those with the plague, it has been appearing in the US charts since the 1890s, spiking in the 1920s, then again in the 2000s, after Madonna polished it up by choosing it for her soon with British director, Guy Ritchie.

A popular choice back in the 50s and 70s, Rocky fell into decline after Sylvester Stallone's battered but not beaten boxer character became the overwhelming association many had with the name. Now, nearly five decades on from when the first Rocky movie was released, this tough yet playful name is back in style, ready to forge an identity of its own. Given to around 420 boys in the US in a recent year, it was one of the fastest rising names in the charts.

Short for Rocco or perhaps Rochelle, this bold nickname has a more peaceful meaning: "rest". But it doubles up as a word name with a wild and edgy sound – especially for girls.

Lithuanian form of Rocco, the name of a 14th-century French saint who nursed victims of the plague but eventually contracted the disease himself. He is the patron saint of the sick.

Saint Roch -- pronounced like rock -- is the patron saint of dogs. Roch is definitely one of the coolest saints' names, but many Americans will say it like roach and not rock. You will have to educate them.

Spelled Noë, this name is common among baby girls in the Netherlands. The umlaut clarifies the two-syllable pronunciation, at least to Europeans, and the spelling variation may help sidestep gender confusion.

Rock definitely has a macho image, if a somewhat caricatured one, ala The Rock. But with the rise of word names and also of tough guy names, Rock feels more plausible than it did a generation ago.

Former Top 5 baby name in Slovenia, now on the decline.

A rock-and-roll version of Coco that could definitely be a possibility for contemporary girls, Rocco is a Italian name, derived from German. Borne St. Rocco, the patron saint of the sick, Rocco's origins are slightly murky though "rook, crow" from the Germanic hruoh, "rest" from hrok and "to roar" from rohōn have all been offered as possibilities.

An earthy rock'n'roll name with multiple origins. The Roc was a giant bird in Middle Eastern legend.

One of the coolest undiscovered international names, we love Roko for its simplicity, modern style, and freshness. It ranks among the top boy names in its native Croatia.