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The short answer
Robert is a masculine name from the Germanic name Hrodebert, meaning "bright fame", from elements hruod ("fame") and beraht ("bright"). Behind the Name notes it was the most popular name for boys in the United States between 1924 and 1939 (and again in 1953), and lists bearers including Robert the Bruce, poets Robert Burns and Robert Frost, and actors Robert Redford, Robert De Niro and Robert Downey Jr. It is pronounced RAH-bərt. In the United States it ranked #92 for boys in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name derives Robert from the Germanic name Hrodebert, "bright fame", from hruod ("fame") and beraht ("bright"). The Normans introduced it to Britain, where it replaced the rarer Old English cognate Hreodbeorht. It has been consistently among the most common English names from the 13th to 20th century, and was the most popular U.S. boys' name between 1924 and 1939 and again in 1953. Notable bearers include kings of the Franks, dukes of Normandy, kings of Scotland (including Robert the Bruce), and poets Robert Browning, Robert Burns and Robert Frost.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Germanic | hruod | fame |
| Germanic | beraht | bright |
Popularity
Robert ranked #92 for boys in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration). Behind the Name notes it was the most popular U.S. boys' name from 1924 to 1939 and again in 1953.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #92 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Bob, Bobbie, Bobby, Rob, Robbie, Robin
Variants: Rupert, Robbert, Robrecht
Related names: Roberta, Robin, Rupert
What the name feels like
Robert reads as a dependable mid-century classic, carrying decades of royal, literary and cinematic associations while remaining plain and easy to say in everyday use.
Style tags: classic, Germanic, mid-century, two syllables
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions are editorial judgment, not linguistic fact.
If you like this name
Names that share Robert's Germanic "fame" root or its classic, mid-century American use.
Similar by meaning
- Rupert
- Robin
- Roberta
Similar by popularity
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Robert mean?
Robert means "bright fame", from the Germanic name Hrodebert, combining hruod ("fame") and beraht ("bright").
Is Robert a popular name?
Robert ranked #92 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data; it was the most popular U.S. boys' name between 1924 and 1939, and again in 1953.
What are nicknames for Robert?
Common short forms are Bob, Bobby, Rob and Robbie.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Robert — supports etymology, pronunciation, variants, history.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
