Roberts Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Roberts has its origins in Old German, meaning 'bright fame'. It evolved from 'Hrodebert' to 'Robert' and then to 'Roberts' through Middle English. The name is often associated with strength and reliability, and while it has no direct biblical relevance, it has been popular since the Norman Conquest. Notable figures with the name include Robert Frost and Robert De Niro.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Roberts"
Pronunciation
/ˈrɒbərts/
Origin
Old German
Etymology
The name Roberts is derived from the Old German name 'Hrodebert', which is composed of the elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'berht' meaning 'bright' or 'shining'.
Meaning
bright fame
Language Evolution
Hrodebert (Old German), Robert (Old French), Roberts (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Roberts gained popularity in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, as the name Robert became common among the nobility and later spread to the general population.
Variants & Derivatives
Robert, Rob, Robbie, Bob, Bobby
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Roberts is seen as a classic and timeless name, often associated with strength and reliability.
Famous People
Robert Frost (American poet), Robert De Niro (American actor), Robert Downey Jr. (American actor), Robert Pattinson (British actor)
📊 Roberts Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Roberts Name Visualizations
✨ Roberts Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 14 peak births in 1922
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Roberts"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Roberts"
"Roberts" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2706th of 7545 | 149 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3209th of 6773 | 102 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3771st of 7552 | 83 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5274th of 10718 | 59 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11250th of 16616 | 23 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Roberts" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
63.82% 2223rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Roberts" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Roberts"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Roberts" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Roberts" in the United States
The name Roberts is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Roberts has been stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Roberts' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2706th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3209th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3771st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5274th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 11250th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22675th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Roberts' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.