Log in · Sign up

Orlando Boy

Popularity: #644 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationor-LAN-do / ɔːrˈlændoʊ

Italian; Spanish; Latin

Meaning

Italian: 'renowned land'; Latin: 'from the land of the famous'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Orlando has its roots in the Germanic name 'Hroland', which is composed of the elements 'hrod', meaning 'fame', and 'land', meaning 'land' or 'territory'. This name evolved through various linguistic stages, first appearing in Old High German as 'Hrothland'. The name was later Latinized to 'Rolandus' in the medieval period, which subsequently influenced its adaptation into Romance languages. The transition into English occurred through the Old French form 'Orlando', which became popularized in the context of literature and culture during the Renaissance.

A significant historical milestone for the name Orlando is its association with the character Orlando in Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem 'Orlando Furioso', published in the early 16th century. This work was pivotal in shaping the romantic and chivalric ideals of the time, and it introduced the character of Orlando as a heroic knight driven by love and honor. The poem's influence extended beyond Italy, inspiring various adaptations in English literature, including works by Shakespeare and later writers, which helped cement the name's place in literary tradition.

Culturally, the name Orlando has been associated with notions of bravery, adventure, and romanticism, reflecting the characteristics of its literary namesake. The name has also been embraced in various artistic expressions, including opera and theater, further enhancing its cultural resonance. Additionally, the diminutive form 'Lando' has been used in some contexts, though Orlando remains the more recognized version. Overall, the name Orlando carries a rich historical and cultural significance, tracing its lineage through language, literature, and the arts.

Trend Summary

Orlando has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable resurgence in the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Orland
  • Orlindo

International Variants

  • Rolando (Spanish)
  • Orlando (Portuguese)
  • Orlano (Italian)

Famous people named Orlando

Orlando Bloom is an actor best known for The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Troy.

Orlando Jones is an actor and comedian best known for Mad TV, The Replacements, and American Gods.

Fictional characters named Orlando

Orlando is a fictional character from the novel Orlando: A Biography by Virginia Woolf. They are a gender-fluid character who experiences life across several centuries, exploring themes of identity and transformation.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Orlando was first seen in the United States in 1880. Orlando has ranked as high as #496 nationally, which occurred in 1987, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and New Mexico. In the past 5 years the name Orlando has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Orlando (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 67
31%
CA 54
25%
IL 15
7%
FL 14
7%
AZ 10
5%
GA 10
5%
WA 10
5%
SC 9
4%
VA 7
3%
NY 7
3%
IN 5
2%
PA 5
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188016
188119
188213
188311
188412
188516
188613
188711
188814
188912
18906
189111
189215
189311
189414
189513
18965
189710
18989
189910
190015
19019
190210
19038
19049
190510
190617
190718
190818
190916
191026
191127
191268
191376
1914101
1915146
1916121
1917156
1918184
1919230
1920181
1921192
1922179
1923186
1924175
1925171
1926149
1927136
1928137
1929101
1930114
1931111
193288
1933101
1934108
1935100
193697
193794
193897
1939119
1940115
1941117
1942116
1943103
194483
194595
1946115
1947153
1948109
1949128
1950163
1951175
1952173
1953217
1954274
1955273
1956342
1957350
1958381
1959429
1960451
1961605
1962663
1963678
1964606
1965578
1966528
1967584
1968651
1969628
1970718
1971676
1972628
1973626
1974719
1975843
1976651
1977688
1978636
1979695
1980743
1981717
1982690
1983688
1984661
1985730
1986817
1987877
1988875
1989839
1990800
1991787
1992663
1993691
1994661
1995659
1996649
1997645
1998629
1999680
2000634
2001731
2002708
2003702
2004779
2005813
2006853
2007860
2008697
2009719
2010634
2011545
2012590
2013471
2014493
2015438
2016430
2017393
2018379
2019337
2020307
2021334
2022307
2023329
2024288