Roger
German, "famous warrior"
April 18 2026 marks the 73rd anniversary of the character Roger the Dodger appearing in the long running British comic, The Beano. The date is also used as the character’s birthday, though he remains eternally ten.
Always “dodging” his way out of anything he doesn’t want to do — but often making more work for himself in the process — he was a favorite character growing up. His own name may have been partly inspired by Dickens’ Artful Dodger, while the UK biscuits, Jammie Dodgers, take their name from the Beano character.
But why celebrate Roger as a name?
Out of style in the UK since the 80s and lingering at the latter end of the US charts, Roger is a blend of clunky and cozy, strong and charming: grandpa-vibes, though for me at least, it borrows a touch of mischief and savviness from the character.
In tune with the likes of Wilfred, Wilbur, Artie, and Sidney, Roger could have the nicknames Rodge, Dodge, or maybe even Rocky and Rory.
Roger is so counter-cultural, I kind of love it! (Plus it's secretly epic because it comes from Hrothgar, like the king in Beowulf.) I know a child with Rodger as his middle name - his mum's surname.
For Roger, Im thinking..... Roger Rabbit!
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 American fantasy comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. Combining live-action and animation, it is loosely based on Gary K. Wolf's novel, Who Censored Roger Rabbit?"
But more currently, Roger is a beloved character in the Outlander series (based on the books by Diana Gabaldon and filmed in Scotland), now in it's final season.