Holding steady.
Popularity of Roberts since 1913
Babies named Roberts per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Roberts's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 63 |
| 1920s | 98 |
| 1930s | 46 |
| 1940s | 62 |
| 1950s | 48 |
| 1960s | 50 |
| 1970s | 26 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 24 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Roberts first appeared in United States naming records in 1913, which also happened to be its peak year of usage. Since then it has fallen out of common use, and it has not ranked among the top 1000 names in recent years. The name is a patronymic surname, reflecting a tradition of using family names as given names. While Roberts is rare today, it retains a sturdy, traditional feel. Its trajectory has been stable in its obscurity, making it an uncommon choice for parents seeking a name with deep historical roots.
Roberts is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Robert, itself from the Old Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'berht' (bright). As a given name, Roberts has been used occasionally, particularly in families where the surname was passed down as a first name.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rob, Robbie, Bobby, Bob
Sibling names for Roberts
Names that share Roberts's style, for a brother or sister.
