Robert
Peaked at #1 nationally in 1924, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Robert has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Robert derives from the Old Germanic elements "hrod" (fame) and "beraht" (bright), together meaning "bright fame." The name reached England via Old French as Robert and became widespread after the Norman Conquest of 1066, quickly displacing earlier Old English forms like Hreodberht.
Notable people & culture
Robert the Bruce led Scotland to independence in the 14th century, and the name later belonged to Confederate general Robert E. Lee and poet Robert Frost. Twentieth-century bearers span actors Robert De Niro and Robert Redford and physicist Robert Oppenheimer. Common short forms include Bob, Bobby, Rob, and Robbie.
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Robert — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#314
in 1929
Last ranked
#14818
in 2023
Years tracked
139
1880–2023
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Robert reached its peak popularity for girls in 1929, ranking #314 nationally with 441 babies given the name that year.
Robert hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2023, when it stood at #14818.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #14,818 | 6 |
| 2022 | #14,942 | 6 |
| 2019 | #15,203 | 6 |
| 2015 | #12,774 | 8 |
| 2014 | #12,836 | 8 |
| 2013 | #12,923 | 8 |
| 2012 | #14,678 | 7 |
| 2011 | #11,962 | 9 |
Robert — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#1
in 1924
Current rank
#90
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Robert reached its peak popularity for boys in 1924, ranking #1 nationally with 60,799 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #60 (2014) to #90 (2024) — a 33% drop.
As of 2024, Robert ranks #90 nationally for boys, with 3,785 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #90 | 3,785 |
| 2023 | #89 | 3,823 |
| 2022 | #84 | 4,078 |
| 2021 | #79 | 4,430 |
| 2020 | #80 | 4,401 |
| 2019 | #76 | 4,851 |
| 2018 | #71 | 5,191 |
| 2017 | #65 | 5,566 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Robert most popular?
Robert was most popular in 1924, when it ranked #1 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Robert becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Robert?
At least 4,866,007 babies have been recorded with the name Robert in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
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