Boy · 1st of 6,773
Robert
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
4,866,007
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
91,891
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Robert stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Robert is of Old Germanic origin, meaning 'fame, bright'. It evolved from historical forms such as Hrodebert and Robertus. The name has been associated with several notable figures throughout history and continues to be perceived positively in contemporary culture.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈrɒb.ərt/
Origin
Old Germanic
Etymology
The name Robert comes from the Old High German name 'Hrodebert', which is composed of the elements 'hrod', meaning 'fame', and 'beraht', meaning 'bright'.
Meaning
fame, bright
Language Evolution
Hrodebert, Robertus, Roberto, Roberto, Robert
Historical Usage
The name Robert gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in England and France, due to the influence of various kings and nobles named Robert.
Variants & Derivatives
Rob, Robbie, Bobby, Robby, Roberta
Modern Popularity & Image
Robert remains a widely used name today, often associated with strength, leadership, and reliability.
Famous People
Robert Frost, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Downey Jr., Robert Pattinson, Robert De Niro
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 91,891 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4th of 7545 | 727,079 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1st of 6773 | 1,124,280 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2nd of 7552 | 1,531,022 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5th of 10718 | 726,799 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11th of 16616 | 446,487 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 32nd of 24088 | 174,539 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 70th of 23106 | 61,643 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 483rd of 9107 | 3,590 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 422nd of 9204 | 4,863 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 615th of 12526 | 4,383 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 625th of 19264 | 4,242 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1118th of 27321 | 2,401 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 6725th of 35406 | 280 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16778th of 30306 | 42 |