Rocio is a beautiful and unique female given name of Spanish origin. It comes from the Spanish word "rocío," which translates to "dew" in English. The name Rocio is often associated with the Virgin Mary, as it is believed that she appeared to a peasant girl named Rocio in the town of Almonte, Spain, in 1481.
According to legend, Rocio had gone out to tend her cattle when she saw a vision of the Virgin Mary standing on top of a holm oak tree. The Virgin spoke to Rocio and told her that she wanted a chapel built on that spot. Rocio returned home and told her family about the vision, but they did not believe her. However, later that day, a shepherd named Juan Diego reported seeing the same vision and the miracle was confirmed.
The apparition of the Virgin Mary in Almonte became a popular pilgrimage site, and over time, the name Rocio became associated with devotion to the Virgin Mary. Today, there is still an annual pilgrimage called the "Romería del Rocío" that takes place in Huelva province, Spain, where thousands of people gather to pay homage to the Virgin Mary.
In addition to its religious significance, the name Rocio has also been popular among Spanish-speaking families for many generations. It is often given to girls born around the time of the annual pilgrimage or simply because it is considered a beautiful and meaningful name.
Overall, Rocio is a lovely and unique female given name with deep-rooted historical and cultural significance in Spain. Its meaning, "dew," adds to its beauty and delicacy, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a special name for their daughter.
Statistics on the name Rocio show a varied trend in popularity over time in the United States. The name first appeared in the top 1000 baby names list in 1952, with only 9 births that year. In subsequent years, there was some fluctuation in popularity, with numbers ranging from as low as 5 births in 1954 to a peak of 38 births in 1966.
The 1970s marked a significant increase in the popularity of Rocio, with over 200 births per year every year except for 1973. The highest number of births in this decade was recorded in 1978, with 267 babies named Rocio born that year.
The trend continued into the 1980s and early 1990s, with numbers consistently above 250 births per year until it peaked again at 450 births in 1992. However, this was short-lived as popularity began to decline in subsequent years.
From the mid-1990s onwards, Rocio's popularity began to wane significantly. Numbers dipped below 300 births per year from 1996 onwards and continued to drop until it reached its lowest point since the 1950s with only 72 births in 2017.
Despite this decline, Rocio has seen a small resurgence in recent years, with numbers creeping back up slightly. There were 85 births recorded in 2021 and 72 births in 2023.
Overall, while Rocio may not have been one of the most popular names over time, it has still held some level of popularity for several decades, particularly during the mid-to-late 20th century. Despite its decline in recent years, there is evidence that interest in this name may be starting to increase once again.