Rome

Given that Rome is arguably the most important city in European history, it has been used as a first name remarkably little. However, with Roman in the Top 100 and one-syllable choices in vogue, it was only a matter of time before parents started looking toward the city's name as a potential baby name.

Heavily associated with the Italian city, Rome may have several possible meanings thanks to the obscure etymology of the Eternal City's name. On one hand, it might come from Romulus — the first King of Rome — however, it is equally likely that he took his name from the city. Other sources suggest it comes from Rumon or Rumen, ancient names for the Tiber river meaning "to flow" or "to hurry" or from the Greek word rhṓmē meaning "strength".

Beyond the city, Rome has also been used as a diminutive form of Ramone, Ramon, or Raymond, meaning "wise protector".

Used occasionally from at least the 1880s onwards, Rome re-entered the boys' US Top 1000 in 2019 after an absence of 120 years, and now seems to be headed straight up the charts. Given to 565 boys in 2023, it is currently nine times more popular for boys than it is for girls.

Pronounced ROHM.

As of October 2026, Rome ranked #452 in US births in 2025 SSA, Nameberry popularity #715.