Roque

Roque is a given name and surname used in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking cultures. It is the Portuguese form of Rochus/Roch, a name of Latin origin commonly associated with the saint Roch (Santo Roque in Portuguese), whose veneration helped spread the name in Catholic communities. The meaning most often connected with the name is “rock” or “stone,” reflecting its Latin roots.

As a personal name, Roque has been borne by individuals across various fields, including politics, religion, and the arts, particularly in Portugal, Brazil, Spain, and other Lusophone and Hispanic regions. In addition to its use as a given name, Roque also functions as a surname, appearing in historical and contemporary records in Portugal, Brazil, and among communities influenced by Iberian immigration.

In toponymy, the term Roque occurs in place names and geographic descriptors in Iberian-speaking regions, where it often signals historical or linguistic associations with rock, cliff, or rugged terrain. The name has also spread through migration and colonial history, contributing to its presence in communities far from its European origins.

Overall, Roque reflects the overlap of religious, linguistic, and cultural influences that shaped naming practices in the Atlantic world. It remains in use in contemporary times as both a given name and a surname, with its roots tracing back to Latin and medieval European naming traditions.

See also: Roche, Roch, Rocco, Rochus.