MallowbyNames

Robben

ROB-en · Of uncertain origin; possibly a Dutch surname or a variant of Robin, meaning 'bright fame'.

Peak popularity
2014
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Robben since 1953

Babies named Robben per year in U.S. Social Security records.

510151960198020002020Most births 2014GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1950s300
1960s105
1970s00
1980s05
1990s512
2000s00
2010s076
2020s00

Meaning & origin

Robben is a rare given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1962 but has never ranked in the top 1,000. Its peak year of usage was 2014, though even then no specific frequency is recorded, indicating very low usage. The name is likely an Anglicized form of the Dutch surname Robben or a variant of Robin. Arjen Robben, the Dutch footballer, may have contributed to occasional interest. The trajectory has been stable, with no significant rise or fall in popularity. Top states for the name are not available in the data, reflecting its scarcity. Parents choosing Robben opt for an uncommon name with a familiar sound, distinct from the more popular Robin. It offers a modern feel while retaining a traditional root.

Robben is a rare given name, likely derived from the Dutch surname Robben, which itself may come from a pet form of Robert. Robert is from the Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'beraht' (bright), meaning 'bright fame'. As a first name, Robben saw occasional use in English-speaking countries from the mid-20th century, possibly influenced by the Dutch footballer Arjen Robben.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Robbin, Robin

Sibling names for Robben

Names that share Robben's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Ella, Maya, Nora, Lucy, Clara

Brothers: Leo, Finn, Owen, Jack, Liam

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

R is for Robben, our favorite little boy.

R is for Robben…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Robben's letter becomes Robben's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Robben's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Robben mean?
The meaning of Robben is uncertain, but it is often considered a variant of Robin, which means 'bright fame'.
How popular is the name Robben?
Robben has never ranked among the top 1,000 names in U.S. Social Security data. It saw a slight peak in 2014 with no recorded frequency, and its usage has remained stable and rare.
Is Robben a boy's name or a girl's name?
Robben is almost exclusively used as a boy's name.