Boy · 249th of 7,545
Norbert
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
20,383
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1924
Peak Popularity Year
635
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Norbert stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Norbert is a name of Germanic origin, meaning 'bright north'. It evolved from Norberht in Old High German and has historical roots in the 11th century with Saint Norbert. The name conveys traits of brightness and strength, with no direct biblical relevance. While its popularity has waned, it remains a traditional name associated with notable figures in various fields.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈnɔːr.bərt/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Norbert is derived from the Old High German elements 'nord' meaning 'north' and 'beraht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous'.
Meaning
bright north
Language Evolution
Norse: Norberht, Old High German: Norberht, Middle High German: Norbert
Historical Usage
Norbert gained popularity in the 11th century, particularly in relation to Saint Norbert, the founder of the Premonstratensian order.
Variants & Derivatives
Norbie, Norbet, Norb
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Norbert is viewed as a traditional name, often associated with strength and brightness, though it is less common in modern times.
Famous People
Saint Norbert, Norbert Wiener, the American mathematician, Norbert Leo Butz, the American actor and singer
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 635 peak births in 1924
Geographic Spread
Popular across 33 US states, with strongest presence in Wisconsin
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 249th of 7545 | 7,842 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 290th of 6773 | 6,895 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 546th of 7552 | 3,587 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1005th of 10718 | 1,033 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2218th of 16616 | 478 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5368th of 24088 | 236 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7792nd of 23106 | 117 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8681st of 9204 | 6 |