Girl · 88th of 9,204
Roberta
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
172,267
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1953
Peak Popularity Year
4,310
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Roberta 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
Roberta is a feminine name derived from the Germanic name Robert, meaning 'bright fame'. It evolved from historical forms such as Robert and Roberto. The name is often associated with strong and intelligent traits, and it gained popularity in the late 19th century. There is no biblical relevance attached to this name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/roʊˈbɜːrtə/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
Roberta is derived from the Germanic name 'Robert', which comes from the elements 'hrod', meaning 'fame', and 'berht', meaning 'bright'.
Meaning
bright fame
Language Evolution
Robert (Old High German), Roberto (Italian, Spanish), Roberta (English)
Historical Usage
Roberta gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a feminine form of Robert.
Variants & Derivatives
Robbie, Bertie, Robby, Roberta, Robyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Roberta is viewed as a classic and elegant name, often associated with strength and intelligence.
Famous People
Roberta Flack, Roberta Williams, Roberta Bondar
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
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,310 peak births in 1953
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Montana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3063rd of 7545 | 117 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1825th of 6773 | 286 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2498th of 7552 | 203 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3806th of 10718 | 118 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7997th of 16616 | 58 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 157th of 9107 | 26,868 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 88th of 9204 | 54,071 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 125th of 12526 | 66,054 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 261st of 19264 | 17,141 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 799th of 27321 | 3,840 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2699th of 35406 | 969 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2944th of 30306 | 682 |