Girl · 55th of 19,264
Robin
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
338,120
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1961
Peak Popularity Year
17,503
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Robin 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
The name Robin has its origins in Old French and Middle English, derived from the name Robert, meaning 'bright fame'. It evolved through various forms, including Robinet, before becoming popular as a standalone name. The name carries a friendly and approachable image and has no biblical significance. It gained popularity during the medieval period, particularly associated with the legendary Robin Hood, and continues to be widely used today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈrɒbɪn/
Origin
Old French, Middle English
Etymology
The name Robin is derived from the Old French name 'Robert', which itself comes from the Germanic elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'berht' meaning 'bright'. The diminutive form 'Robin' emerged as a nickname for Robert, particularly in the Middle Ages.
Meaning
bright fame
Language Evolution
Robert, Robinet, Robin
Historical Usage
The name Robin gained popularity in England during the medieval period, particularly in the 14th century, and became widely associated with the legendary figure Robin Hood.
Variants & Derivatives
Rob, Robbie, Robyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Robin is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with nature due to the bird of the same name and is used for both males and females.
Famous People
Robin Williams, Robin Wright, Robin Thicke
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 17,503 peak births in 1961
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
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 11 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 | 1137th of 7545 | 613 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 508th of 6773 | 2,496 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 199th of 7552 | 24,779 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 347th of 10718 | 8,529 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 528th of 16616 | 5,206 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1233rd of 24088 | 2,032 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 918th of 23106 | 2,860 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1993rd of 9107 | 323 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 550th of 9204 | 2,883 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 44th of 12526 | 160,023 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 55th of 19264 | 93,562 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 178th of 27321 | 26,833 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 863rd of 35406 | 4,614 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 970th of 30306 | 3,320 |