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Robert

English from German
"bright fame"
Madison Dresler
By Madison Dresler
Updated Mon Sep 02 2024

Robert Origin and Meaning

The name Robert is a boy's name of German, English origin meaning "bright fame".

Robert was the Number 1 boys' name in the US in both 1925 and 1950, and in fact was in the Top 25 for more than a century, giving it true classic status. Strong if not quite stylish, Robert remains in the Top 100 for baby boys as a family favorite.

Robert was derived from the ancient Germanic name Hrodebert, from the elements hrod, meaning "fame" and bertha, "bright." Robert was the name of three kings of Scotland, including Robert the Bruce, who freed Scotland from English rule. The name was brought to England by the Normans.

Nicknames Bob and Bobby are stuck in the past, while Rob, Robb and Robby/Robbie have an ever so slightly more modern appeal. Antiquated pet forms Dob, Hob, Rab and Rabbie might be fresh nicknames, but the most fashionable form of Robert today is....Robert.

There are countless literary and real-life namesakes, from poets Frost and Burns to actors Redford and De Niro to Shark Tank businessperson Robert Herjavec. Modern parents might consider honoring an ancestral Robert by choosing Robertson or Robinson, or even the derivative Robin, rising in popularity for boys.

# 89 in the US

Robert Rank in US Top 1000

# 346 on Nameberry

Robert Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Robert Popularity

Famous People Named Robert

  • Robert I and IIKings of the Franks
  • Robert IDuke of Normandy, father of William the Conqueror
  • Robert of Jumiègesfirst Norman Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Robert the BruceKing of Scotland
  • Robert II and IIIKings of Scotland
  • RobertKing of Naples
  • Robert Catesbyleader of the English Gunpowder Plot of 1605
  • Robert BurnsScottish poet and national treasure
  • Robert Louis StevensonScottish novelist
  • Robert Edward LeeAmerican Confederate Civil War general
  • Robert Todd Lincolnson of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln
  • Robert Gould ShawCivil War Colonel of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
  • Robert Michael BallantyneBritish author
  • Robert Taylor (born Spangler Arlington Brugh)American actor
  • Robert EmmetIrish Republican Patriot, Orator and Rebel Leader
  • Robert Francis "Bobby" KennedyU.S. Attorney General and Senator from New York, Husband of Ethel Skakel
  • Robert Joseph "Bob" DoleU.S. Senator from Kansas
  • Robert Selden DuvallAmerican actor
  • (Charles) Robert RedfordAmerican actor and director
  • Robert Allen Zimmermanbirth name of Bob Dylan, American singer,songwriter
  • Robert Nesta "Bob" MarleyJamaican reggae singer,songwriter
  • Robert John Downey Jr.American actor
  • Robert RoldanAmerican contemporary dancer
  • Robert De NiroAmerican actor
  • Robert Patrick "Rob" Benedictactor
  • Robert "Rob" James McElhenneyAmerican actor, writer, and producer
  • Robert CarlyleScottish actor
  • Robert James Smithmusician of English band The Cure
  • Robert Michael Sheehan (Irish: Roibeárd Mícheál Ó Siodhacháin)Irish actor
  • Robert Anthony Plantlead singer of English band Led Zeppelin
  • Robert Gordon Menzies12th Prime Minister of Australia
  • Robert Douglas Thomas PattinsonEnglish actor
  • Robert Albert BlochAmerican novelist
  • Robert David HallAmerican actor
  • Robert Hammond Patrick Jr.American actor
  • Robert George YoungAmerican actor
  • Robert Sylvester Kelly aka R. KellyAmerican R&B singer
  • Robert Bartleh Cummings aka Rob ZombieAmerican musician
  • Robert Betts LaughlinAmerican physicist and Nobel prize winner
  • Robert Alan "Rob" MorrowAmerican actor
  • Robert Barton EnglundAmerican actor
  • Robert Falcon ScottBritish Naval officer and Antarctic explorer
  • Robert Randolph Garran1st Solicitor,General of Australia
  • Robert BurnellLord Chancellor of England
  • Robert Philippe Louis Eugène FerdinandPrince of Orléans, Duke of Chartres, grandson of King Louis,Philippe of France
  • (James) Robert CadeAmerican researcher who invented Gatorade
  • Robert HuesEnglish geographer
  • Robert Thomas ChristgauAmerican journalist and music critic
  • Robert Stanley "Rob" DyrdekAmerican skateboarder
  • Robert Hepler "Rob" LoweAmerican actor
  • Robert George KardashianAmerican attorney and businessman; patriarch of TV's Kardashian family
  • Robert Arthur "Rob" KardashianAmerican reality TV personality; son of Robert Kardashian
  • Robert 'Rob' Grotesinger of America band The Districts
  • Robert Alfred 'Bobby' MorleyAustralian actor
  • Robert VitoAmerican actor
  • Robert C. SpringerAmerican astronaut
  • Robert Patrick "Robbie" AmellCanadian actor and model
  • Robert Hunter Bidenson of VP Joe Biden
  • Robert FicoPrime Minister of Slovakia
  • Robert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen IIIAmerican voice actor
  • Robert Mondavileading California vineyard operator who brought worldwide recognition to the wines of Napa Valley
  • Robert MorganBritish filmmaker, director and writer
  • Robert Benoît Paul Henri James MariePrince of Orléans, Petit,Fils de France, Count of la Marche (b. 1976), son of Prince Thibaut
  • Robert Clarence IrwinAustralian animal expert; son of the late Steve Irwin
  • Robert "Bob" IrwinAustralian naturalist, animal conservationist, former zookeeper, and a pioneering herpetologist; father of the late Steve Irwin
  • Robert Galbraithpen name of the British novelist JK Rowling
  • Robert Ford Wilson (b. 2011)son of American actor Owen Wilson
  • Robert GlatzelGerman footballer
  • Robert WisdomAmerican actor
  • Robert KnepperAmerican actor
  • Robert Ellis Smith IV (b. 2018)son of Bobby & Tori Smith
  • Robert FranzeseNew York based cosplayer , called the "Real Life Peter Griffin" because of his strong resemblance to the "Family Guy' Character
  • Robert Pine (born Granville Whitelaw Pine)American actor and director
  • Robert Maltby (b. 1985)21 year old British man who was attacked for being goth in 2007 and luckily survived

Robert in Pop Culture

  • Robert Baratheoncharacter in the "Game of Thrones" series
  • Robert Baronecharacter on TV's "Everybody Loves Raymond"
  • Robert "Rob" McGroartycharacter in "The Brave Little Toaster"
  • Robert "Bobby" Pendragoncharacter in the Pendragon series by D. J. MacHale
  • Dr. Robert Chasecharacter on TV's "House"
  • Robert Californiacharacter on TV's "The Office"
  • Robert Frobishercharacter in book/movie ''The Cloud Atlas''
  • Robert CrawleyEarl of Grantham, character on TV's "Downton Abbey"
  • Robert Steven "Bobby" Singercharacter on TV's "Supernatural"
  • Robert Townsendcharacter in "Yesterday's Child," by Barbara Wood
  • Robert Hammondcharacter in video game 'Ace Attorney'
  • Robert Smallcharacter in video game "Dream Daddy"
  • "Dr. Robert" song by The Beatles
  • Robert DyasLondon retail shop
  • Robert Edwin Housea character in "Fallout: New Vegas"
  • Robert Clarkcharacter in "Fran Bow"
  • Dr. Robert Bruce Banneralso known as Hulk, character in Marvel Universe
  • Robert "Bobby" Louis Drakealso known as Iceman, character in Marvel Universe
  • Robert Lanyoncharacter in "The Glass Scientists"
  • Robert Alan Queencharacter in DC Universe
  • Robert "Robbie" Stacey Valentinocharacter in "Gravity Falls"
  • Robert QuinnCallie's biological father on Freeform's "The Fosters"
  • Robert AprilFirst Captain of the Starship Enterprise NCC,1701 in the Star Trek Franchise

Robert in Nameberry Blog Posts