Meaning: Its source is Rocco, an Italian name meaning "Rest."

Narrative: This originated as a nickname for a tough individual, but its development into a given name is not unprecedented, as the commentary on Peter (which started as nickname meaning '' rock'') makes clear.

Popularized first by the prize fighter Rocco ''Rocky'' Marciano (1923-1969), the name was carried into the latter part of the 20th century by the title charcter of Sylvester Stallone's 1976 hit film Rocky.