Rock names for boys include everything from classic Peter to straight-up, well, Rock.
Many of these feel like nature names. But some fit into the surname category. Others are straight-up saintly.
One thing rock names for boys all have in common? Undeniable strength.
Maybe it helps that Dwayne Johnson – one of the biggest stars of our day – is known as The Rock.
So if you’re into the great outdoors or geology or maybe rock n’ roll, chances are that some of these names might appeal.
While rock names for boys might sound novel, they offer plenty of history:
- Rocco is a saint, though his name comes from the Germanic element hrok – rest. He’s also known as Roch.
- Rocky is a boxer – Rocco Marciano was a heavyweight title holder, plus there’s fictional Robert Balboa, the underdog-turned-American icon from the Rocky franchise.
- There’s a flying squirrel, too – Rocket Squirrel, better known as Rocky, from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.
- Rock Hudson was a leading man in the 1950s and 60s – though he was born Roy.
- About that professional wrestler-turned-actor? Dwayne Johnson is better known as The Rock, and his dad was a wrestler named Rocky. (Though his birth name was Wayde.)
Ready for the rock names?
NAMES THAT MEAN ROCK
CRAIG
The Celtic word crag refers to a rocky outcrop, rugged land. Craig is a name derived from crag, a 1960s favorite.
HARLOW
The Old English element haer means rock. Harlow is originally a place name derived from haer, and it has some history of use as a boys’ name, though it’s more popular for girls today.
LANGSTON
Langston literally means long stone. Poet Langston Hughes makes this name feel more polished.
PETER
The ultimate rock name with Biblical roots, from the Greek petros – rock.
PIERCE
A dashing surname spin on Peter. Pierre, Per, and Pedro are three more.
WINSTON
The –ston ending on lots of names can mean stone, like Winston.
ROCKS THAT MAKE GOOD NAMES
FLINT
If Flynn follows Finn, could Flint catch on, too? It’s a form of quartz that sparks when struck. In the 1960s James Coburn played a James Bond-parody character called Derek Flint.
GRANITE
Sure, it’s a popular material for kitchen remodels. But Granite is also very much part of the natural world, favored by climbers from Yosemite to Patagonia.
JASPER
Among the most stylish of the possibilities, Jasper is also a form of quartz.
OBSIDIAN
Too much? Maybe. But if Jet, Orion and Gideon are wearable, Obsidian isn’t impossible.
ROCK
Go with just Rock, and there’s no doubt.
SHALE
Like Shane, Shale has a softer sound. But it seems very wearable.
SLATE
There’s something dramatic about a boy named Slate. Blank slate, clean slate, the online magazine … There’s also Slater, an occupational surname for someone who covered roofs with slate tile.
STONE
Nearly as obvious as Rock, but slightly more familiar thanks to anchorman Stone Phillips.
NAMES THAT SOUND LIKE ROCKS
JAGGER
It sounds like jagged – rough, uneven – just like crag and Craig. Actually, Jagger is an occupational surname, another word for a peddler. And of course there’s Mick Jagger, legendary frontman of The Rolling Stones.
ROCCO
A saintly Italian heritage pick that doesn’t actually mean rock. It comes from the Germanic element hrok – rest. The saint was French, but the Feast of St. Rocco is associated with Italian immigrants in the US, thanks in part to traditional celebrations – and a famous scene from The Godfather II.
ROCKO
A respelling of Rocco, made famous by an animated wallaby in a Nickelodeon series from the 1990s, Rocko’s Modern Life.
ROCKWELL
Another surname possibility, Rockwell comes from the Old English element hroc – rook. Twentieth century illustrator Norman Rockwell lends the name a certain Americana vibe.
ROCKY
Rocky is a boxer, of course. But Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian chose the name for their son in honor of another person: punk rock guitarist Rocky George, best known for his work in Suicidal Tendencies. It takes the name from the natural world to the silver screen to the stage – so many reasons Rocky stands on its own.
What do you think of rock names for boys? Are there any that you would use? Have I left any off this list?
First published on January 4, 2013, this post was substantially revised and re-published on March 2, 2022.
I have a toddler named Stone. We chose it because it’s strong, nature-related name and is alliterative with our last name. We’ve had nothing but positive feedback on his name!
We’re naming our son Rockford Malachi “Rocky”
The word Evan or Eben means Stone/Rock in Hebrew & both are great names!
Jasper and Clay should be on the list.
I’ve seen Quarry and Kasota (a type of Limestone) in local BAs.
Jade has “gone to the girls”, but my Aunt used to babysit for a little boy named Jade, so in my mind it’s still male.
I know a grown up guy called Jade – it wears really well!
Love Rocco. Never thought of Rockwell, I kind of like that nn Rocky or Rocko. Rock alone is pretty cool too, but I wouldn’t use it. I would have to muster up a lot of courage, but I do think Dash, Flynn and Rocco would be so cute if we were ever to have another boy.
My best friends brother’s first name is Rockford, though he goes by Rocky. I think that kind of qualifies. 😛
Ooh … great addition to the list!
One of the first things to pop into my mind is Mica.
I have a number of Coal miners in my family tree, so I always thought Cole was a nice nod to that.