Names That Mean Rest

Madonna did much to polish up the image of this old-neighborhood Italian choice when she picked it for her son with British director Guy Ritchie, and several years later it was also used by Rose Byrne and Bobby Canavale for their son. It now feels much more mainstream than many celebrity baby names, sharing the quirky appeal of some other so-far-out-they're-in baby names as Bruno and Hugo.

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 2024, it was one of the fastest rising names of the year.

Short for Rocco, this bold nickname has a more peaceful meaning: "rest". But Rocky sounds wild and edgy – even more so for girls.

Rock-and-roll version of Coco — definitely a possibility for girls.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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