Robinson Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Robinson is an Old English name meaning 'son of Robert,' which evolved from Robert through Robbe. The name is associated with literary significance and has gained popularity over centuries, especially due to its connection to Robinson Crusoe. It carries a classic aura and is linked to notable figures in sports and literature, with no direct biblical relevance.
The name Robinson is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) 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, Robinson has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Robinson' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2475th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2491st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2131st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1971st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1760th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2580th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2729th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Robinson' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Robinson"
Pronunciation
/ˈrɒbɪnsən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Robinson is derived from the Old English name 'Robbe,' a diminutive of Robert, combined with the suffix '-son,' which means 'son of.' Therefore, it literally means 'son of Robert.'
Meaning
son of Robert
Language Evolution
Robert, Robbe, Robinson
Historical Usage
Robinson gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages as a patronymic surname and was further popularized by literary works, most notably Daniel Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe' in the early 18th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Rob, Robbie, Robinsons
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Robinson is viewed as a classic name with a strong historical presence. It is often associated with literary and adventure themes due to the famous novel.
Famous People
Robinson Crusoe (fictional character), Jackie Robinson (baseball player), Robinson Jeffers (poet)
📊 Robinson Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Robinson Name Visualizations
✨ Robinson Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 64 peak births in 2014
Geographic Spread
Popular across 11 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 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Robinson"
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 "Robinson"
"Robinson" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2475th of 7545 | 174 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2491st of 6773 | 171 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2131st of 7552 | 276 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1971st of 10718 | 353 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1760th of 16616 | 672 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2580th of 24088 | 685 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2729th of 23106 | 551 |
Regional Popularity of "Robinson" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
50.29% 1222nd/2430 |
- |
54.52% 1513th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
58.63% 1722nd/2937 |
29.17% 1016th/3483 |
- |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
20.76% 929th/4475 |
35.29% 1833rd/5194 |
31.14% 1967th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
31.37% 1620th/5164 |
33.63% 2459th/7313 |
39.58% 2954th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
41.07% 1843rd/4487 |
45.90% 3131st/6822 |
39.82% 2499th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Robinson" 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 "Robinson"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Robinson" 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.