by Hannah Russell

Created on: December 29, 2007

Robert (pronounced Raw-burht or Rawb-urht)

Meaning: bright fame

Origin and History: derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "Hreodbeorht" which means bright fame, the name slowly became one of the most popular names in Medieval England, and experiencing a special peak with the acts of Robert the Bruce, the King of Scotland who momentarily removed Scotland from British Rule in the 14th Century

Popularity:
Current Standing: #64 for babies born in the US in 2007
High Point: #1in the US from 1925 to 1950 and #8 in the third-quarter of the nineteenth century
Current Decline: falling in favor of more "adventurous names"

Fascinating Facts: Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran consider Robert to be one of sixty names that transcend time. It is also widely considered to give a "no nonsense" feel and firmly be masculine, as it is not projected to soon become a unisex name as most boys' names are becoming.. Sociology Stanley Lieberson of Harvard University found Robert to be the 4th most common name choice among white women with the least education.

Namesakes: The name has been borne by several reputable people including King Robert the Bruce of Scotland and poets Robert Browning, Robert Burns and Robert Frost

Famous Persons: Several famous people have borne the name Robert, including Robert E. Lee, Robert Duvall and three kings of Scotland

Variants: Nicknames: Rob, Bob, Bert, Robby, Rab, Bobbie, Robers, Rip, Robb, Robbie
Translations: Roberto, Rupert, Ruprecht, Ruperto, Riobard, Robinet
Derivatives: Robin

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