Rockford is a distinctive and unique given name of American origin. It is not derived from any particular language or culture but rather it was created as a fictional surname for characters in books by Richard Halliburton, an American travel writer who was popular during the early to mid-20th century.
The name Rockford first appeared in Halliburton's 1938 book "The Flying Carpet," where it was used as the last name of one of the main characters. The character's full name was Captain George Frederick Rockford, who was a former World War I pilot and an adventurer with a mysterious past.
Despite its fictional origins, the name Rockford has gained some popularity over time. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, there were only 25 babies named Rockford between 1879 and 2019. However, it appears that the name is more commonly used as a surname than as a given name.
There is no specific meaning or association behind the name Rockford other than its connection to Richard Halliburton's characters. It was simply a name created by the author for his fictional characters and has not been widely adopted beyond those stories. Nevertheless, it remains a unique and interesting name choice for anyone looking for something different and distinctive.
The name Rockford has a fascinating history of popularity in the United States, with a total of 693 babies given this unique name over the course of more than a century.
In its earliest years, the name Rockford was quite popular, experiencing several peaks and valleys throughout the early to mid-20th century. The highest number of births recorded for the name occurred in 1956 with 19 births. This peak was followed by another significant high in 1979 with 20 births.
However, after these periods of popularity, the name Rockford experienced a steady decline in usage throughout the latter half of the century. By the year 2000, only five babies were named Rockford, marking a dramatic drop from its previous heights.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Rockford. After a low point in 2014 with only nine births, the name has seen an increase in usage once again. In fact, 2021 saw 13 babies named Rockford, and the year 2022 followed suit with 12 births.
This trend suggests that the name Rockford may be poised for a comeback in the United States. Despite its fluctuations over time, this distinctive name continues to capture the imagination of parents seeking something unique and memorable for their children. With its rich history and recent upswing in popularity, it will be interesting to see how the name Rockford fares in the coming years.