Roberts Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ROH-burts /ˈrɒb.əts/
Origin: English; Welsh
Meaning: Son of Robert
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Roberts is of English origin, derived from the given name Robert, which itself comes from the Old High German name Hrodebert. This name is composed of the elements "hrod," meaning "fame," and "beraht," meaning "bright" or "shining." The name Robert was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century, following the Norman Conquest of 1066, and it became popular in various forms across Europe, including Roberto in Italian and Robertus in Latin.
The surname Roberts thus emerged as a patronymic form, indicating "son of Robert," and it became established in England during the Middle Ages. Historically, the name Robert has been borne by numerous notable figures, including Robert the Bruce, the King of Scots in the early 14th century, who is celebrated for his role in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Additionally, Saint Robert of Molesme, a 11th-century French monk and founder of the Cistercian order, contributed to the name's significance within Christian contexts. The name appears in various historical texts, including the King James Bible, which was published in 1611, where the name Robert is referenced in genealogical contexts, further embedding it in English-speaking culture.
Culturally, the name Roberts has resonated through literature and history, often associated with qualities of nobility and leadership due to its etymological roots. The name has been used in various literary works and historical accounts, symbolizing strength and honor.
Diminutive forms such as Rob or Robbie have also emerged, reflecting a more familiar or affectionate usage, although the surname Roberts itself has maintained a formal presence throughout centuries. Overall, the name encapsulates a rich historical and cultural legacy that has endured through time.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Roberts, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Roberts. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Roberts was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Roberts has ranked as high as #882 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Roberts has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Roberts 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 Roberts was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Roberts (1965)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
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 Roberts.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 6 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1967 | 8 |
| 1965 | 13 |
| 1962 | 8 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1954 | 10 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1951 | 11 |
| 1950 | 9 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1947 | 7 |
| 1946 | 6 |
| 1945 | 9 |
| 1944 | 8 |
| 1942 | 12 |
| 1941 | 6 |
| 1940 | 9 |
| 1937 | 7 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1935 | 5 |
| 1934 | 9 |
| 1932 | 8 |
| 1930 | 12 |
| 1929 | 6 |
| 1928 | 6 |
| 1927 | 9 |
| 1926 | 8 |
| 1925 | 12 |
| 1924 | 13 |
| 1923 | 12 |
| 1922 | 14 |
| 1921 | 8 |
| 1920 | 10 |
| 1919 | 11 |
| 1918 | 11 |
| 1917 | 6 |
| 1916 | 9 |
| 1915 | 8 |
| 1914 | 9 |
| 1913 | 9 |