What Does the Name Robert Mean?
Robert is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning “bright fame.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Robert |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Germanic |
| Meaning | bright fame |
| Variants | Rob, Bob, Bobby, Robbie, Rupert |
| Popularity | A top US boys' name through the 1920s-1950s, frequently ranking in the top 3. |
The meaning and origin of Robert
The name Robert means “bright fame” and has Germanic origins. From the Germanic elements hrod 'fame' and beraht 'bright', introduced to England by the Normans where it replaced the Old English cognate Hreodbeorht. It was a staple name throughout the medieval and modern English-speaking world.
Variants and related names
Robert is related to several other names you may recognize: Rob, Bob, Bobby, Robbie, Rupert. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Robert?
A top US boys' name through the 1920s-1950s, frequently ranking in the top 3.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Robert mean?+
The name Robert means “bright fame” and is of Germanic origin.
What is the origin of the name Robert?+
Robert originates from Germanic.
Is Robert a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Robert has trended in the US over time.
Robert by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press