"bright fame"
Origin: Old High German (hrod + beraht)
Language: English
Robert
Pronunciation: [ r-AHB-ert ]
Boy Name
#90 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A centuries-old name meaning bright fame
English
French
German
Scottish
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Formal
Meaning & Origin
"glorious, famous"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
"bright fame"
Origin: Germanic
Language: Old High German
"glory bright"
Origin: Norman French
Language: French
The Story of Robert
Robert comes from the Old High German name Hrodebert, combining hrod meaning fame or glory and beraht meaning bright. Brought to England by the Normans in 1066, it became one of the most enduring names in English history, borne by kings, dukes, and saints across centuries.
Robert was the most popular boys name in the United States for much of the 20th century, topping the charts from 1924 to 1939 and again from 1953 to 1959. Its decline reflects a broader shift away from traditional names toward more unique choices.
Robert has been borne by three Scottish kings and is deeply woven into British and American culture. Robert Burns is the national poet of Scotland, and Robert Frost and Robert De Niro have shaped American culture for generations.
Fun Facts
- Robert has been borne by at least 8 British kings or princes
- Robert Frost, Robert Burns, and Robert Browning make it a celebrated name in English poetry
- The nickname Bob arose from Hob, a medieval rhyming variant of Rob
Robert in Other Languages
Arabic
Rubart
French
Robert
German
Robert
Italian
Roberto
Russian
Robert
Spanish
Roberto
Portuguese
Roberto
Famous People Named Robert
R
Robert Downey Jr.
Actor
1965
American actor known for Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes roles
R
Robert De Niro
Actor
1943
Legendary American actor and filmmaker with two Academy Awards
R
Robert Louis Stevenson
Writer
1850
Scottish novelist and poet known for Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
R
Robert Burns
Writer
1759
Scottish poet known as the national bard of Scotland, author of Auld Lang Syne
R
Robert Langdon Fictional
Other
Harvard professor and protagonist of Dan Browns The Da Vinci Code
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #90
- Total SSA Count
- 3,785
- Cultural Origins
- English French German Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Rob
Bob
Bobby
Robbie
Bert
Pairs Well With
Robert James
Robert William
Robert Thomas
Robert Edward
Robert Charles
Robert John
Robert Alexander
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Robert is also used as a girl name, ranked #39070.
View Robert as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Robert
What does the name Robert mean?
"bright fame" (from Old High German (hrod + beraht)). "glorious, famous" (from Germanic). "bright fame" (from Germanic). "glory bright" (from Norman French). Robert comes from the Old High German name Hrodebert, combining hrod meaning fame or glory and beraht meaning bright. Brought to England by the Normans in 1066, it became one of the most enduring names in English history, borne by kings, dukes, and saints across centuries.
What is the origin of the name Robert?
Robert has Old High German (hrod + beraht), Germanic, Norman French, English, French, German, and Scottish origins. In Old High German (hrod + beraht), it means "bright fame". In Germanic, it means "glorious, famous". In Germanic, it means "bright fame". In Norman French, it means "glory bright".
Is Robert a boy or girl name?
Robert is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #90. As a girl name, it is ranked #39070. Robert is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Robert?
Robert is pronounced r-AHB-ert.
How popular is the name Robert?
Robert is currently ranked #90 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Robert?
Common nicknames for Robert include Rob, Bob, Bobby, Robbie, and Bert.
What are good middle names for Robert?
Popular middle name pairings include Robert James, Robert William, Robert Thomas, Robert Edward, Robert Charles, Robert John, and Robert Alexander.
What are good sibling names for Robert?
Names that pair well with Robert as siblings include William, James, Elizabeth, Catherine, Edward, Margaret, and Thomas.
How many syllables does Robert have?
Robert has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Robert a common or rare name?
Robert is a very popular name, ranked #90 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Robert
Robert is a boy name with English, French, German, and Scottish origins . The name means "bright fame" in Old High German (hrod + beraht) .
Is Robert a boy or girl name? Robert is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #90 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #39,070. Robert is more commonly used as a boy name.
Robert is currently ranked #90 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Robert has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-AHB-ert, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Robert include Rob, Bob, Bobby, Robbie, and Bert. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Robert include Roberto . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.