Holding steady.
Popularity of Robertson since 1916
Babies named Robertson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1964, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Robertson's real moment was 1922.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 43 |
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 50 |
| 1960s | 65 |
| 1970s | 68 |
| 1980s | 88 |
| 1990s | 60 |
| 2000s | 45 |
| 2010s | 44 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Robertson is a surname-style given name with deep roots in Scottish and English naming tradition. As a patronymic, it directly means 'son of Robert,' connecting bearers to the enduring popularity of the name Robert. The earliest recorded use of Robertson as a first name in U.S. Social Security data dates to 1916, and it reached its highest recorded usage in 1922, a peak year when it ranked 1,177th in popularity. Since then, its usage has remained stable but uncommon, never again cracking the top 1,000. While its 1-in-N figure is unknown due to its current rarity, the name carries a dignified, traditional feel that may appeal to families honoring a Robertson surname or seeking a less common option. It has been used almost exclusively for boys.
Robertson is a patronymic surname turned given name, derived from the medieval given name Robert (from Old Germanic Hrodebert, meaning 'bright fame') combined with the English patronymic suffix -son. It was traditionally used as a surname, particularly in Scotland and northern England, before occasional adoption as a first name. Its peak usage as a first name in the United States came in 1922.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rob, Bobby, Robbie, Bert
Variants: Roberson
Sibling names for Robertson
Names that share Robertson's style, for a brother or sister.
