"famous land"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Orlando
Pronunciation: [ awrl-AND-oh ]
Boy Name
#845 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
Epic as a knight, radiant as the Renaissance
Italian
Spanish
English
Latin American
Romantic
Literary
Bold
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"glory of the land"
Origin: Old Germanic
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Some families may associate the name with the 2016 Pulse nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, Florida
The Story of Orlando
Orlando is the Italian and Spanish form of Roland, composed of the Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame, glory) and 'land' (land, territory), together meaning 'famous land' or 'glory of the land.' Roland was one of Charlemagne's most celebrated paladins, immortalized in the French epic 'The Song of Roland' (c. 1100). The Italian Renaissance poet Ariosto made Orlando the hero of his masterpiece 'Orlando Furioso' (1516), giving the Italian form its own literary glory.
Orlando has long been popular in Italian and Spanish-speaking communities across the Americas and Europe. In English-speaking countries, actor Orlando Bloom (born 1977) significantly boosted the name's appeal in the early 2000s.
Ludovico Ariosto's 'Orlando Furioso' (1516) is considered one of the greatest works of Italian Renaissance literature, depicting Orlando's epic adventures and descent into madness over love. Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel 'Orlando' used the name to explore gender, identity, and time across four centuries.
Fun Facts
- Orlando Bloom was named after the 17th-century English composer Orlando Gibbons
- Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel 'Orlando' features a protagonist who lives through 400 years and changes gender
- The city of Orlando, Florida is believed to be named after Orlando Reeves, a soldier who died there around 1835
Orlando in Other Languages
French
Roland
German
Roland
Italian
Orlando
Spanish
Orlando
Portuguese
Orlando
Famous People Named Orlando
O
Orlando Bloom
Actor
1977
British actor known for his roles as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbea...
British actor known for his roles as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean
O
Orlando from Orlando Furioso Fictional
Other
The paladin hero of Ludovico Ariosto's 1516 Italian Renaissance epic, one of the most celebrated works of European liter...
The paladin hero of Ludovico Ariosto's 1516 Italian Renaissance epic, one of the most celebrated works of European literature
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #845
- Total SSA Count
- 288
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Spanish English Latin American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Orlo
Lando
Ory
Pairs Well With
Orlando James
Orlando Richard
Orlando Vicente
Orlando Antonio
Orlando Miguel
Orlando Sebastian
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Orlando is also used as a girl name, ranked #63944.
View Orlando as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Orlando
What does the name Orlando mean?
"famous land" (from Germanic). "glory of the land" (from Old Germanic). Orlando is the Italian and Spanish form of Roland, composed of the Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame, glory) and 'land' (land, territory), together meaning 'famous land' or 'glory of the land.' Roland was one of Charlemagne's most celebrated paladins, immortalized in the French epic 'The Song of Roland' (c. 1100). The Italian Renaissance poet Ariosto made Orlando the hero of his masterpiece 'Orlando Furioso' (1516), giving the Italian form its own literary glory.
What is the origin of the name Orlando?
Orlando has Germanic, Old Germanic, Italian, Spanish, English, and Latin American origins. In Germanic, it means "famous land". In Old Germanic, it means "glory of the land".
Is Orlando a boy or girl name?
Orlando is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #845. As a girl name, it is ranked #63944. Orlando is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Orlando?
Orlando is pronounced awrl-AND-oh.
How popular is the name Orlando?
Orlando is currently ranked #845 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Orlando?
Common nicknames for Orlando include Orlo, Lando, and Ory.
What are good middle names for Orlando?
Popular middle name pairings include Orlando James, Orlando Richard, Orlando Vicente, Orlando Antonio, Orlando Miguel, and Orlando Sebastian.
What are good sibling names for Orlando?
Names that pair well with Orlando as siblings include Leonardo, Valentina, Rafael, Isabella, Matteo, Adriana, and Marco.
How many syllables does Orlando have?
Orlando has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Orlando a common or rare name?
Orlando is moderately common, ranked #845 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Orlando
Orlando is a boy name with Italian, Spanish, English, and Latin American origins . The name means "famous land" in Germanic .
Is Orlando a boy or girl name? Orlando is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #845 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #63,944. Orlando is more commonly used as a boy name.
Orlando is currently ranked #845 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Orlando has 3 syllables and is pronounced awrl-AND-oh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Orlando include Orlo, Lando, and Ory. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.