Robin

Pronunciation: [ r-AHB-uhn ]

Boy Name #809 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A medieval folk hero's name with timeless English charm

English French Dutch American

Classic Playful Earthy Vintage Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"bright fame"

Origin: Germanic

Language: English

"shining glory"

Origin: Old High German

Language: French

The Story of Robin

Robin is a medieval diminutive of Robert, from the Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'beraht' (bright) — meaning 'bright fame.' The diminutive was formed using the French -in suffix, which became common in medieval England. Robin has been used as both a masculine and feminine name throughout its history, though in the US it became more commonly given to girls in the late 20th century, making it increasingly gender-neutral.

Robin for boys peaked in the mid-20th century, particularly in the UK, where it was a top-50 name in the 1950s-60s. The legendary figure of Robin Hood has kept the name perennially visible. In the US, Robin shifted toward girls during the 1960s-70s, but recent decades have seen parents revisiting it as a gentle, literary name for boys. In the Netherlands and Belgium, Robin remains predominantly masculine.

Robin Hood is one of the most enduring folk heroes in English culture, appearing in literature, ballads, and films for nearly 700 years. The name Robin also connects to the beloved robin redbreast bird, symbolizing spring and renewal in British folk tradition. In France, Robin appears in medieval romances, giving the name dual literary and folk heritage.

Fun Facts

The earliest written reference to Robin Hood appears in William Langland's Piers Plowman around 1377
Robin Williams, who bore this name, is one of the most celebrated comedic actors and entertainers in American history
The European robin (Erithacus rubecula) became Britain's unofficial national bird in a 2015 public vote — the bird and the name share centuries of cultural connection

Robin in Other Languages

Dutch Robin

French Robin

German Robin

Spanish Robin

Scandinavian Robin

Famous People Named Robin

Robin Williams

Actor

1951

Academy Award-winning American comedian and actor, known for Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Aladdin, and Mrs. Do...

Academy Award-winning American comedian and actor, known for Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Aladdin, and Mrs. Doubtfire

Robin Hood Fictional

Other

England's most famous folk hero — the outlaw who robs from the rich to give to the poor, appearing in literature and bal...

England's most famous folk hero — the outlaw who robs from the rich to give to the poor, appearing in literature and ballads since the 14th century

Robin (DC Comics) Fictional

Other

Batman's sidekick and ward — the Boy Wonder, with multiple characters having held the role including Dick Grayson, Jason...

Batman's sidekick and ward — the Boy Wonder, with multiple characters having held the role including Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #809
Total SSA Count: 310
Cultural Origins: English French Dutch American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Robinson #3539

Common Nicknames

Rob Robbie

Pairs Well With

Robin James Robin Alexander Robin Thomas Robin Lee Robin William Robin Mark Robin Hugh

Sibling Names

Marian Alan Scarlett Will Little John Wren Finch

Also a Girl Name

Robin is also used as a girl name, ranked #798.

View Robin as a girl name →

Similar Names

Roberta Reuben Ruben Colin Collins Courtney Robin Corban

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Frequently Asked Questions About Robin

What does the name Robin mean?

"bright fame" (from Germanic). "shining glory" (from Old High German). Robin is a medieval diminutive of Robert, from the Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'beraht' (bright) — meaning 'bright fame.' The diminutive was formed using the French -in suffix, which became common in medieval England. Robin has been used as both a masculine and feminine name throughout its history, though in the US it became more commonly given to girls in the late 20th century, making it increasingly gender-neutral.

What is the origin of the name Robin?

Robin has Germanic, Old High German, English, French, Dutch, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "bright fame". In Old High German, it means "shining glory".

Is Robin a boy or girl name?

Robin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #809. As a girl name, it is ranked #798. Robin is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Robin?

Robin is pronounced r-AHB-uhn.

How popular is the name Robin?

Robin is currently ranked #809 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Robin?

Common nicknames for Robin include Rob and Robbie.

What are good middle names for Robin?

Popular middle name pairings include Robin James, Robin Alexander, Robin Thomas, Robin Lee, Robin William, Robin Mark, and Robin Hugh.

What are good sibling names for Robin?

Names that pair well with Robin as siblings include Marian, Alan, Scarlett, Will, Little John, Wren, and Finch.

How many syllables does Robin have?

Robin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Robin a common or rare name?

Robin is moderately common, ranked #809 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Robin

Robin is a boy name with English, French, Dutch, and American origins . The name means "bright fame" in Germanic .

Is Robin a boy or girl name? Robin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #809 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #798. Robin is more commonly used as a girl name.

Robin is currently ranked #809 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Robin has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-AHB-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Robin include Rob and Robbie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Robin include Robinson . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.