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Naming your children is a tricky business, which is why it is always best to research your prospective names before labeling your kids with them for life. After all you wouldn't want them to end up with a name that means 'stinky grass' or something like that, would you?

This article will go behind the name...Robert

ETYMOLOGY: Robert means 'Bright Fame'

ORIGIN & HISTORY: The name comes from the Germanic hrod (fame) beraht (bright). The Normans were said to have introduced the name to Britan sometime before the Fourteenth Century.

POPULARITY: Though the name has always been a common one it has decreased dramatically in popularity over the past ten years, dropping from a ranking of 23rd most popular boy name in 1996 to a meager 47th on the list in the year 2006. As the trend becomes using more and more unique names those names that we've all grown to know, such as Robert, John, Michael, etc, are slowly dying out.

FASCINATING FACTS: There have been three Kings of Scotland named Robert. Including Robert the Bruce who kicked the English out of the country and won Scotland it's independence.

NAMESAKES: There is a university called Robert College located in Istanbul.

FAMOUS PERSONS: There are a number of famous Roberts including the following:
Robert Atkins - Creator of the Atkins Diet
Robert Ford - Outlaw and man who shot Jesse James
Roberto Duran - Boxer
Robert Louis Stevenson - poet, novelist
Robert Redford - Actor
Robert Frost - Poet
Robert Duvall - Actor

NAME VARIANTS: There are many variants of the name Robert including the nicknames Rob, Bob, Robby, and Bobby. Other variants include: Ruben, Ruppert, and Roberta

Learn more about this author, Kiki Roberts.
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