The name Roger is of German origin, derived from the Germanic elements 'Hrod' meaning fame and 'ger' meaning spear. It was popularized during the Middle Ages by the Normans who brought it to England after their conquest in 1066. In France, it is often associated with the French form Roget. Roger has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, but its popularity peaked in the mid-20th century before declining somewhat in recent decades. Notable individuals named Roger include British actor Roger Moore and American astronaut Roger Chaffee.
The name Roger experienced a significant peak in popularity between 1926 and 1945, with over 20 births per year consistently. This period saw the highest number of Rogers born, with a remarkable 43 births in 1943 alone. However, starting from the late 1970s, there was a notable decline in popularity, with fewer than 20 births per year until it reached an all-time low of 6 births in 1993. Overall, between 1912 and 1993, there were a total of 1688 Rogers born.