Rocco

Origin & Meaning

Rocco derives from the Germanic Hroc or Hrok, meaning rest or repose. It arrived in Italy through the medieval veneration of Saint Rocco (Roch) of Montpellier — a French nobleman who devoted himself to nursing plague victims. His cult spread rapidly through Italy in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and the name followed. In Italy, Rocco became strongly identified with the south — particularly Puglia, Basilicata, and Campania — where Saint Rocco is one of the most venerated saints.

History in Italy

Saint Rocco (c.1348–c.1376) was believed to have healed plague victims with a touch of his hand, and then contracted the plague himself. He retreated to a forest to die, but was kept alive by a dog that brought him bread every day. He is the patron saint of plague victims, the falsely accused, bachelors, and dogs. In Italy, virtually every town has a church of San Rocco. The name is overwhelmingly associated with southern Italy.

Regional Origins

Rocco is primarily a southern Italian name — associated with Puglia, Basilicata, Campania, and Calabria. In New York's Italian-American community, a Rocco almost certainly has roots in the Mezzogiorno.

Famous People Named Rocco

Rocco Siffredi — Italian actor. Rocco Dispirito — American chef of Italian descent. Rocky (from Rocco) Marciano — undefeated heavyweight boxing champion of Italian descent (Marchegiano family from Le Marche).

In the Italian Diaspora

Rocco was one of the most common names among Italian immigrants to the United States, particularly those from southern Italy. In the Little Italies of New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, Rocco was as common as John. The American form Rocky became a separate name in its own right.