Robert Boy

Popularity: #92 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ROB-urt //ˈrɒb.ərt//

Origin: Germanic; Old High German

Meaning: Fame-bright; bright fame

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Robert has its roots in the Germanic elements "hrod," meaning "fame," and "beraht," meaning "bright" or "shining." This etymology is reflected in the Old High German form "Hruodberht," which evolved into the Old French "Robert" after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. The name was subsequently adopted into Middle English as "Robert," maintaining its original pronunciation and meaning.

The transition from Germanic to Old French and then to English illustrates the linguistic influences of the time, particularly the impact of Norman culture on the English language following 1066. Historically, the name Robert has been borne by numerous notable figures, contributing to its prominence.

One of the earliest recorded bearers was Robert I of Scotland, also known as Robert the Bruce, who reigned in the early 14th century and is celebrated for his role in the Scottish Wars of Independence. Additionally, Saint Robert of Molesme, a 11th-century Benedictine monk, founded the Cistercian order, further embedding the name in religious and cultural history.

The name appears in significant literary works, including the King James Bible, where it is associated with various biblical figures, enhancing its historical resonance. Culturally, Robert has been associated with nobility and leadership, often symbolizing strength and valor.

The name has produced various diminutive forms, such as Rob and Bobby, which have also been used in different cultural contexts. Over the centuries, Robert has maintained a strong presence in literature, art, and history, often representing ideals of bravery and honor.

Its enduring legacy is reflected in the many historical and cultural narratives that feature individuals named Robert, making it a name of considerable significance across various domains.

Famous people named Robert

In this section, you will find notable people named Robert. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Robert who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Robert who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Robert Downey Jr. is an actor best known for Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes, and Avengers: Endgame.

Robert Pattinson is an actor best known for Twilight, The Lighthouse, and Tenet.

Robert De Niro is an actor best known for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas.

Robert Redford is an actor and director best known for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and Ordinary People.

Robert Frost is a poet best known for The Road Not Taken, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, and Mending Wall.

Robert Louis Stevenson is an author best known for Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Robert Plant is a musician best known as the lead singer of Led Zeppelin and for his solo career.

Robert Rodriguez is a filmmaker best known for Desperado, Sin City, and Spy Kids.

Robert Zemeckis is a director best known for Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Robert Altman is a director best known for M*A*S*H, Nashville, and The Player.

Robert Iger is a business executive best known for his role as CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

Robert B. Parker is an author best known for the Spenser series and Jesse Stone series.

Robert Capa is a photographer best known for his war photography and co-founding Magnum Photos.

Robert Johnson is a musician best known for his influence on blues music and songs like Cross Road Blues and Hellhound on My Trail.

Robert H. Goddard is an engineer and inventor best known for his work in rocketry and launching the first liquid-fueled rocket.

Robert M. Pirsig is an author best known for Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Robert Langdon is a fictional character best known for his role in Dan Brown's novels, including The Da Vinci Code.

Robert Crumb is a cartoonist best known for his work in underground comix and the creation of characters like Fritz the Cat.

Robert C. Martin is a software engineer best known for his book Clean Code and contributions to Agile software development.

Robert McKee is a screenwriting lecturer best known for his book Story and his seminars on storytelling.

Robert A. Heinlein is an author best known for science fiction works like Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers.

Robert H. Miller is a businessman best known for his role in the development of the Miller Brewing Company.

Robert Kiyosaki is an entrepreneur and author best known for his book Rich Dad Poor Dad.

Robert McDonald is a businessman best known for his role as CEO of Procter & Gamble.

Robert Shiller is an economist best known for his work on behavioral finance and the Case-Shiller Index.

Robert F. Smith is a businessman best known as the founder of Vista Equity Partners.

Robert W. Chambers is an author best known for his book The King in Yellow.

Fictional characters named Robert

The following list of fictional characters named Robert is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Robert Langdon is a fictional character from the novel series by Dan Brown. He is a Harvard symbologist who solves complex puzzles and uncovers historical mysteries.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Robert, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

RichardWilliamThomasEdwardJamesCharles

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Robert. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

RonaldRogerRoderickRobinRalphRubenRocco

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Robert was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Robert has ranked as high as #3 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Robert has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Robert is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Robert was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Robert.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 3,777 3,772 5
2024 3,806 3,806 0
2023 3,833 3,827 6
2022 4,088 4,082 6
2021 4,436 4,436 0
2020 4,402 4,402 0
2019 4,859 4,853 6
2018 5,191 5,191 0
2017 5,566 5,566 0
2016 6,010 6,010 0
2015 6,145 6,137 8
2014 6,668 6,660 8
2013 6,729 6,721 8
2012 6,970 6,963 7
2011 6,993 6,984 9
2010 7,581 7,569 12
2009 7,853 7,842 11
2008 8,848 8,841 7
2007 9,397 9,388 9
2006 9,922 9,911 11
2005 10,183 10,166 17
2004 10,719 10,684 35
2003 11,415 11,399 16
2002 12,045 12,031 14
2001 12,686 12,665 21
2000 13,762 13,739 23
1999 14,564 14,540 24
1998 15,555 15,527 28
1997 16,340 16,304 36
1996 17,713 17,676 37
1995 18,630 18,586 44
1994 20,612 20,560 52
1993 22,517 22,447 70
1992 24,154 24,094 60
1991 26,916 26,839 77
1990 28,995 28,886 109
1989 30,198 30,072 126
1988 30,501 30,319 182
1987 30,456 30,237 219
1986 31,591 31,350 241
1985 32,332 32,094 238
1984 31,998 31,768 230
1983 33,000 32,745 255
1982 34,642 34,409 233
1981 34,623 34,395 228
1980 34,520 34,266 254
1979 34,267 34,015 252
1978 33,628 33,374 254
1977 34,452 34,214 238
1976 34,025 33,789 236
1975 35,551 35,306 245
1974 37,246 37,005 241
1973 38,947 38,698 249
1972 43,301 43,013 288
1971 50,932 50,634 298
1970 57,504 57,177 327
1969 58,635 58,300 335
1968 58,439 58,174 265
1967 56,623 56,369 254
1966 59,568 59,317 251
1965 63,361 63,106 255
1964 70,259 69,980 279
1963 70,262 70,007 255
1962 70,428 70,199 229
1961 73,266 72,977 289
1960 72,625 72,357 268
1959 74,777 74,542 235
1958 77,575 77,338 237
1957 82,020 81,765 255
1956 84,138 83,924 214
1955 83,990 83,758 232
1954 86,523 86,331 192
1953 86,471 86,243 228
1952 86,781 86,588 193
1951 86,563 86,353 210
1950 83,756 83,553 203
1949 84,075 83,873 202
1948 85,687 85,478 209
1947 91,892 91,655 237
1946 84,350 84,136 214
1945 70,145 69,947 198
1944 71,049 70,855 194
1943 75,142 74,892 250
1942 72,053 71,845 208
1941 64,443 64,247 196
1940 61,404 61,198 206
1939 59,874 59,666 208
1938 62,490 62,271 219
1937 62,065 61,842 223
1936 58,721 58,500 221
1935 56,758 56,527 231
1934 56,109 55,843 266
1933 54,494 54,221 273
1932 59,594 59,268 326
1931 60,862 60,519 343
1930 62,579 62,153 426
1929 60,248 59,807 441
1928 61,135 60,701 434
1927 62,085 61,674 411
1926 61,499 61,130 369
1925 61,245 60,895 350
1924 61,101 60,802 299
1923 56,361 56,111 250
1922 54,033 53,796 237
1921 53,023 52,779 244
1920 48,884 48,679 205
1919 41,209 41,025 184
1918 40,797 40,619 178
1917 35,388 35,220 168
1916 31,863 31,741 122
1915 28,853 28,737 116
1914 21,268 21,188 80
1913 15,756 15,684 72
1912 12,900 12,836 64
1911 6,565 6,526 39
1910 5,638 5,609 29
1909 4,588 4,563 25
1908 4,245 4,219 26
1907 4,042 4,020 22
1906 3,651 3,635 16
1905 3,431 3,410 21
1904 3,427 3,414 13
1903 3,057 3,044 13
1902 3,201 3,180 21
1901 2,559 2,543 16
1900 3,845 3,821 24
1899 2,627 2,609 18
1898 2,944 2,932 12
1897 2,719 2,701 18
1896 2,747 2,719 28
1895 2,655 2,635 20
1894 2,518 2,497 21
1893 2,580 2,563 17
1892 2,727 2,710 17
1891 2,249 2,240 9
1890 2,553 2,541 12
1889 2,527 2,513 14
1888 2,833 2,814 19
1887 2,133 2,125 8
1886 2,459 2,443 16
1885 2,333 2,322 11
1884 2,475 2,468 7
1883 2,345 2,334 11
1882 2,512 2,500 12
1881 2,149 2,140 9
1880 2,427 2,415 12

Top States for Robert (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 394
10%
TX 335
9%
NY 248
7%
FL 245
6%
PA 170
4%
OH 159
4%
NC 152
4%
GA 137
4%
TN 121
3%
MI 117
3%
VA 108
3%
IL 107
3%
NJ 105
3%
SC 86
2%
AL 85
2%
CO 79
2%
MA 75
2%
MD 66
2%
IN 65
2%
WI 64
2%
KY 63
2%
MO 62
2%
AZ 55
1%
MS 53
1%
CT 52
1%
WA 50
1%
LA 47
1%
MN 46
1%
UT 38
1%
OR 35
1%
AR 31
1%
OK 29
1%
KS 28
1%
IA 26
1%
AK 24
1%
ID 21
1%
NH 21
1%
DC 20
1%
NV 18
0%
DE 18
0%
WV 17
0%
MT 16
0%
RI 15
0%
ME 14
0%
NE 12
0%
NM 12
0%
SD 12
0%
HI 11
0%
ND 8
0%
WY 7
0%
VT 6
0%