GENDER: Male

PRONUNCIATION: RAH-bert or RAW-bert

ETYMOLOGY: Robert as a first name: Old German - "bright", "fame"

Robert as a surname: English, French, Scandinavian - "famous in counsel"

ORIGIN & HISTORY:

The name Robert appears to be introduced to the United Kingdom by the Normans and it quickly spread throughout all classes of English society after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The name Robert was an especially favored name by Scottish people in the 14th century, due in part to their king, King Robert the Bruce, who fought to reclaim independence for Scotland from England.

There are an incredible thirty-two saints with the first name Robert in the Catholic Church. The saints are celebrated on Saint Days throughout the year.

The thirty-two Saint Roberts' are all contained in an 8 month period with a total of eleven being honored in the month of April alone!

POPULARITY:

The name Robert ranks 47th in the United Sates in 2006. It ranked an impressive 1st in the decade of the 1930's! In United Kingdom it ranks 69th for the year 2005 and 43rd in Scotland 2006. In Belgium it ranks 1,545th in 2004.

FASCINATING FACTS:

There were three kings of Scotland named Robert and three presidents of the United States with sons named Robert.

Since 1901 when the Nobel Prize was first instituted for world-wide outstanding achievers, there have been twelve Nobel Prize winners, all with the first name Robert.

Dr. Robert Adler 1913- Invented a remarkable invention in 1956. I dare to say there is one in every home. The item was nicknamed "lazy bones". What is it? The television remote controller!

General Robert E. Lee 1807-1870: General Lee was originally offered command of the Union Army, he turned it down to join the South. He was in uniform for over one year before having to take part in any battle.

He also has the distinction of being the first and only graduate of West Point to complete his degree without receiving one demerit for violating strict conduct codes and graduated at the very top of his class of forty-six.

FAMOUS PERSONS:

Saint Robert 1542-1621: Italian cardinal, theologian and Doctor of the Church. He was influential in authoring and designing two Catechisms. St. Robert is the "Patron Saint of Religious Education". He also authored two books, "The Ascent of the Mind to God" and "Art of Dying".

Robert Kennedy 1925-1968: Brother to President John F. Kennedy, he held the office of United States

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Behind the name: Robert?
We want to hear your view. Write now!