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Roland

Heart
German
"famous throughout the land"

Roland Origin and Meaning

The name Roland is a boy's name of German origin meaning "famous throughout the land".

Roland is a chivalrous old name made famous by the supposedly eight-foot-tall romantic hero and nephew of Charlemagne, celebrated in medieval poetry and song. It is more widely heard in the US now in its Spanish form, Rolando. You might want to consider rollicking short form Rollo, either on its own or as an abbreviation of Roland. Orlando is the graceful Italian form.

Like other vintage names (Roland was a a Top 100 name in the 1920s), Roland has been fashionable of late.

# 608 in the US

Roland Rank in US Top 1000

# 452 on Nameberry

Roland Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Roland Popularity

20 Names Similar to Roland

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Roland.

Famous People Named Roland

  • Roland Gérard BarthesFrench literary theorist
  • Roland Jaime Orzabal (de la Quintana)British singer of band Tears for Fears
  • Roland EmmerichGerman film director
  • Roland "Champ" BaileyAmerican football player
  • Roland Sato Lee Page aka Yung RoAmerican rapper
  • Roland DoréFrench sculptor
  • Roland LeightonEnglish poet

Roland in Pop Culture

  • Roland Deschainanti hero of Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series
  • Roland Daggettcharacter in DC comics
  • Roland Burtoncharacter on TV's Army Wives
  • Roland Jacksoncharacter in animated TV show Extreme Ghostbusters
  • Roland LeBaycharacter in Stephen King's "Christine"
  • Rolandcharacter in The Matrix films
  • RolandCharacter in Catherine Jink's "Pagan" chronicals
  • King Roland IIcharacter animated TV series "Sofia the First"
  • Roland RatBritish puppet TV character
  • Rolanddwarf "cousin" of Sabrina in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" TV show
  • Rolandson of Robin Hood and Maid Marian on TV's Once Upon a Time
  • Roland Sparksa main character and fallen angel in the 'Fallen' series (Lauren Kate)
  • Roland Innessmain character in the Longbow Series (Wayne Grant)
  • Roland Hallivardcharacter in the "Throne of Glass" book series by Sarah J. Maas
  • "Roland" series of video games and their main character
  • Rolandcharacter in video game Borderlands
  • RolandGinger’s father, character in Ginger and Rosa