Declining since 2013, #3,583 for boys today.
Popularity of Robinson since 1900
Babies named Robinson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2014, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Robinson's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 7 |
| 1910s | 90 |
| 1920s | 108 |
| 1930s | 99 |
| 1940s | 89 |
| 1950s | 133 |
| 1960s | 193 |
| 1970s | 234 |
| 1980s | 387 |
| 1990s | 449 |
| 2000s | 398 |
| 2010s | 520 |
| 2020s | 214 |
Meaning & origin
Robinson is a patronymic surname turned given name, meaning "son of Robin." Historically, it has been used as a first name since the 19th century, with its highest popularity in the United States occurring in 1900, when it ranked highest in usage. That year, the name was most concentrated in California, its top state. However, since 2013, Robinson has been on a downward trajectory, reflecting a broader shift away from surname-style first names. In 2025, the name was given to approximately 1 in every 55,099 boys, placing it at rank 3,583. Despite its decline, Robinson retains a classic, literary feel, often associated with the fictional castaway Robinson Crusoe. As a given name, it offers a distinctive alternative to more common surname names like Jackson or Harrison.
Robinson is an English patronymic surname meaning "son of Robin." Robin itself is a medieval diminutive of Robert, from the Germanic elements hrod (fame) and beraht (bright). As a given name, Robinson has been used since the 19th century, often in honor of family surnames. Its usage as a first name peaked in the early 1900s.
Where Robinson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Robinson” around the world
Where Robinson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Robby, Robbie, Robin
Variants: Robison
Sibling names for Robinson
Names that share Robinson's style, for a brother or sister.
