Roque is of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the word 'roca', which means 'rock'. It is traditionally given as a masculine name. In some regions, it may also be used as a surname. The name Roque has been associated with several historical figures, including French philosopher Michel de Montaigne's friend Etienne de La Boétie, who was known by the name Roque.
The name Roque appears to have experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. The earliest data shows a modest start with only 7 births recorded in 1915, but by 1922, it had more than doubled to 17 births. However, the trend was not consistent; there were periods of decline and plateau throughout the first half of the century.
The turning point seems to be around the late 1950s to early 1960s when the number of births began to increase significantly. In 1955, there were only 25 births, but by 1963, that number had more than doubled again to 42 births. This upward trend continued through the late 1970s and into the early 1980s, with Roque reaching its peak popularity in this period.
However, after a high of 54 births in 2004, there has been a steady decline in recent years. The most recent data shows only 22 births in 2023, indicating that the name Roque may be falling out of favor once more. Overall, however, with a total of 2543 births recorded over this period, it's clear that Roque has been a popular choice for parents at various points throughout history.