Ross Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Ross /rɒs/
Origin: Scottish; English
Meaning: Scottish: headland; English: rose
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ross has its origins in the Gaelic word "ros," which translates to "promontory" or "peninsula." This term was used in early medieval Scotland, where it denoted various geographical locations, particularly in the region of Ross-shire. The name was adopted into Old English, retaining its original meaning and eventually evolving into the modern form used today.
The transition into English likely occurred through interactions between Gaelic-speaking populations and the Anglo-Saxons during the early medieval period, particularly from the 9th century onward. Historically, the name Ross is associated with notable figures and places.
One significant milestone is its use as a surname among Scottish clans, particularly the Clan Ross, which played a prominent role in Scottish history from the 13th century onward. The clan was involved in various historical events, including the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
Additionally, the name appears in literature and historical texts, contributing to its recognition and usage throughout the centuries. Culturally, the name Ross has been linked to various symbolic meanings, often associated with strength and resilience due to its geographical connotations.
In Scottish tradition, names derived from landscapes often carry a sense of identity and belonging, reflecting the deep connection between people and their environment. The name has also been used in various diminutive forms, such as Rossie, which have appeared in literature and folklore, further embedding the name in cultural narratives.
Overall, the name Ross encapsulates a rich linguistic heritage and historical significance that has endured through the ages.
Famous people named Ross
In this section, you will find notable people named Ross. 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 Ross who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Ross 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.
Ross Perot is a businessman and philanthropist best known for founding Electronic Data Systems and running for U.S. President in 1992 and 1996.
Ross Geller is a fictional character best known as a paleontologist on the television show Friends.
Ross Lynch is an actor and musician best known for his role in Austin & Ally and for being a member of the band R5.
Ross Noble is a comedian best known for his improvisational style and stand-up performances.
Ross Barkley is a professional footballer best known for playing as a midfielder for Everton and Chelsea.
Ross Poldark is a fictional character best known as the protagonist in the Poldark series of novels and the subsequent television adaptations.
Fictional characters named Ross
The following list of fictional characters named Ross 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.
Ross Geller is a fictional character from the TV show Friends. He is a paleontologist known for his romantic relationships and humorous personality.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ross, 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 Ross. 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 Ross was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Ross has ranked as high as #303 nationally, which occurred in 1985, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Ross has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ross 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 Ross 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 Ross.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 122 | 122 | 0 |
| 2024 | 139 | 139 | 0 |
| 2023 | 121 | 116 | 5 |
| 2022 | 151 | 151 | 0 |
| 2021 | 155 | 148 | 7 |
| 2020 | 136 | 136 | 0 |
| 2019 | 134 | 134 | 0 |
| 2018 | 177 | 177 | 0 |
| 2017 | 168 | 162 | 6 |
| 2016 | 191 | 191 | 0 |
| 2015 | 168 | 160 | 8 |
| 2014 | 185 | 185 | 0 |
| 2013 | 194 | 194 | 0 |
| 2012 | 212 | 212 | 0 |
| 2011 | 214 | 214 | 0 |
| 2010 | 219 | 219 | 0 |
| 2009 | 227 | 227 | 0 |
| 2008 | 258 | 258 | 0 |
| 2007 | 263 | 263 | 0 |
| 2006 | 283 | 283 | 0 |
| 2005 | 313 | 313 | 0 |
| 2004 | 357 | 351 | 6 |
| 2003 | 384 | 378 | 6 |
| 2002 | 425 | 425 | 0 |
| 2001 | 503 | 503 | 0 |
| 2000 | 566 | 561 | 5 |
| 1999 | 672 | 667 | 5 |
| 1998 | 789 | 789 | 0 |
| 1997 | 796 | 796 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1,041 | 1,041 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1,047 | 1,047 | 0 |
| 1994 | 838 | 838 | 0 |
| 1993 | 942 | 942 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1,277 | 1,277 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1,452 | 1,446 | 6 |
| 1990 | 1,628 | 1,619 | 9 |
| 1989 | 1,797 | 1,787 | 10 |
| 1988 | 1,783 | 1,768 | 15 |
| 1987 | 1,673 | 1,666 | 7 |
| 1986 | 1,791 | 1,775 | 16 |
| 1985 | 1,898 | 1,884 | 14 |
| 1984 | 1,758 | 1,744 | 14 |
| 1983 | 1,354 | 1,343 | 11 |
| 1982 | 1,479 | 1,465 | 14 |
| 1981 | 1,240 | 1,240 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1,043 | 1,038 | 5 |
| 1979 | 1,013 | 1,002 | 11 |
| 1978 | 924 | 919 | 5 |
| 1977 | 822 | 822 | 0 |
| 1976 | 680 | 680 | 0 |
| 1975 | 684 | 678 | 6 |
| 1974 | 681 | 674 | 7 |
| 1973 | 726 | 715 | 11 |
| 1972 | 708 | 708 | 0 |
| 1971 | 863 | 857 | 6 |
| 1970 | 881 | 881 | 0 |
| 1969 | 891 | 885 | 6 |
| 1968 | 844 | 844 | 0 |
| 1967 | 797 | 797 | 0 |
| 1966 | 916 | 916 | 0 |
| 1965 | 987 | 987 | 0 |
| 1964 | 1,023 | 1,023 | 0 |
| 1963 | 1,140 | 1,127 | 13 |
| 1962 | 1,141 | 1,134 | 7 |
| 1961 | 1,024 | 1,024 | 0 |
| 1960 | 1,050 | 1,044 | 6 |
| 1959 | 1,027 | 1,027 | 0 |
| 1958 | 1,040 | 1,032 | 8 |
| 1957 | 959 | 954 | 5 |
| 1956 | 991 | 991 | 0 |
| 1955 | 1,028 | 1,028 | 0 |
| 1954 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0 |
| 1953 | 921 | 921 | 0 |
| 1952 | 908 | 908 | 0 |
| 1951 | 888 | 883 | 5 |
| 1950 | 774 | 769 | 5 |
| 1949 | 763 | 763 | 0 |
| 1948 | 720 | 720 | 0 |
| 1947 | 790 | 790 | 0 |
| 1946 | 650 | 650 | 0 |
| 1945 | 560 | 555 | 5 |
| 1944 | 571 | 564 | 7 |
| 1943 | 584 | 584 | 0 |
| 1942 | 556 | 556 | 0 |
| 1941 | 518 | 513 | 5 |
| 1940 | 458 | 458 | 0 |
| 1939 | 485 | 480 | 5 |
| 1938 | 485 | 479 | 6 |
| 1937 | 465 | 465 | 0 |
| 1936 | 481 | 475 | 6 |
| 1935 | 427 | 427 | 0 |
| 1934 | 448 | 443 | 5 |
| 1933 | 414 | 414 | 0 |
| 1932 | 423 | 423 | 0 |
| 1931 | 459 | 452 | 7 |
| 1930 | 500 | 500 | 0 |
| 1929 | 414 | 414 | 0 |
| 1928 | 488 | 483 | 5 |
| 1927 | 453 | 453 | 0 |
| 1926 | 537 | 530 | 7 |
| 1925 | 568 | 559 | 9 |
| 1924 | 595 | 588 | 7 |
| 1923 | 581 | 575 | 6 |
| 1922 | 584 | 576 | 8 |
| 1921 | 525 | 514 | 11 |
| 1920 | 548 | 548 | 0 |
| 1919 | 582 | 569 | 13 |
| 1918 | 577 | 569 | 8 |
| 1917 | 512 | 503 | 9 |
| 1916 | 463 | 457 | 6 |
| 1915 | 451 | 451 | 0 |
| 1914 | 366 | 360 | 6 |
| 1913 | 305 | 300 | 5 |
| 1912 | 240 | 240 | 0 |
| 1911 | 140 | 140 | 0 |
| 1910 | 103 | 103 | 0 |
| 1909 | 81 | 81 | 0 |
| 1908 | 99 | 99 | 0 |
| 1907 | 76 | 76 | 0 |
| 1906 | 88 | 88 | 0 |
| 1905 | 74 | 74 | 0 |
| 1904 | 73 | 73 | 0 |
| 1903 | 67 | 67 | 0 |
| 1902 | 90 | 90 | 0 |
| 1901 | 72 | 72 | 0 |
| 1900 | 83 | 83 | 0 |
| 1899 | 95 | 95 | 0 |
| 1898 | 75 | 75 | 0 |
| 1897 | 62 | 62 | 0 |
| 1896 | 83 | 83 | 0 |
| 1895 | 73 | 73 | 0 |
| 1894 | 110 | 110 | 0 |
| 1893 | 76 | 76 | 0 |
| 1892 | 90 | 90 | 0 |
| 1891 | 91 | 86 | 5 |
| 1890 | 101 | 101 | 0 |
| 1889 | 115 | 115 | 0 |
| 1888 | 90 | 90 | 0 |
| 1887 | 85 | 85 | 0 |
| 1886 | 107 | 107 | 0 |
| 1885 | 109 | 109 | 0 |
| 1884 | 110 | 110 | 0 |
| 1883 | 88 | 88 | 0 |
| 1882 | 96 | 96 | 0 |
| 1881 | 82 | 82 | 0 |
| 1880 | 69 | 69 | 0 |
Top States for Ross (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 | 10 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| IL | 7 | |
| TX | 7 | |
| MS | 6 | |
| AL | 6 | |
| UT | 6 | |
| FL | 6 | |
| LA | 5 | |
| NC | 5 |