Fun Facts About the Name Roda
- 118 babies named Roda: U.S. records list 118 babies given the name Roda from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Roda Mean?
Roda is a feminine given name meaning "rose." It goes back to the Greek word rhodon (ρόδον), "rose," the same root behind the biblical name Rhoda (Greek Ῥόδη, Rhodē). Roda is used as a variant or simplified spelling of Rhoda in several languages, and Ρόδα is a modern Greek given name. Because the source word is simply the flower's name, the meaning is literal rather than symbolic.
A similar-looking name, Rada, used in some Slavic-speaking regions, comes from the Slavic root rad-, meaning "glad" or "willing." It resembles Roda in sound but has a different origin, so the two are not the same name.
Roda Name History & Origins
The Greek name Ῥόδη (Rhodē) was in use in the ancient Greek world and is formed from rhodon, "rose." The name appears in the New Testament, in the Acts of the Apostles (12:13 - 15), where Rhoda is a servant girl in the Jerusalem house of Mary, the mother of John Mark; she goes to the gate and recognizes Peter's voice after his escape from prison. Through the Latin Bible and later vernacular translations, the name entered Christian naming traditions in Europe.
Greek speakers have continued to use it, written Ρόδα or Ρόδη. In Western Europe, Rhoda was adopted with a range of spellings, and Roda is one of them, appearing where the h was dropped or the ending shortened. Forms of the name also appear in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions and in the Philippines, where Spanish naming influence was strong.
Roda is also found as a surname and in place names, such as towns in Catalonia and Aragon. Those place names are generally traced to other sources, including Latin rota, "wheel," or a Germanic word for a cleared piece of land, and are not the origin of the personal name.
How Popular is the Name Roda?
Roda has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1970. Its best rank was #4,208 in 1934.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #16,773 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2021 | #13,208 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #17,026 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #17,930 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #18,322 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2015 | #18,578 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #18,743 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #14,681 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #19,260 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #19,854 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #15,352 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #16,329 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1973 | #9,431 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1970 | #6,234 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1965 | #6,357 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1962 | #6,424 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1957 | #6,838 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1950 | #5,943 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1934 | #4,208 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1925 | #5,632 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1921 | #4,377 | 7 | 0.0006% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore More Lists with Name Roda
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with R
Short Girl Names That Start with R
How the Name Roda Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are a law unto itself. Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You are tolerant and like to help humanity. You are very active. You are generally warmhearted and gives freely of your time, energy, and sympathetic understanding. You have tolerance and acceptance of the frailties of others. Universal and humanitarian in outlook. This is very compassionate name. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Roda's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Roda's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.