Rhodes
ROHDZ
Rhodes comes from the Greek island Ródos, whose name is traditionally connected to the Greek rhodon meaning “rose.” As a surname, it was given to families from the island or from places named after it.
The English surname Rhodes became famous through Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902), the British imperialist and mining magnate who founded Rhodesia. The Rhodes Scholarship, established by his will, carries the name into academic culture.
Rhodes is at its all-time US peak: No. 613 in 2024 with 465 births. It belongs to a wave of place-derived surnames becoming given names.
What the name Rhodes means
The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, gives the name an additional layer of grandeur and historical recognition.
One syllable—ROHDS—sounds clean and assured. The soft initial and voiced final consonant give it a relaxed confidence shared by Brooks, Hayes, and Wells.
Parents choosing Rhodes often want a surname-style given name with genuine geographic and historical depth, not a modern invention.
The name sits comfortably alongside other single-syllable geographic names—Wells, Banks, Heath—that have found favor as given names in recent decades.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Rhodes
Rhodes - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity