Holding steady, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Rommel since 1943
Babies named Rommel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2008, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Rommel's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 61 |
| 1960s | 107 |
| 1970s | 264 |
| 1980s | 244 |
| 1990s | 228 |
| 2000s | 272 |
| 2010s | 218 |
| 2020s | 120 |
Meaning & origin
Rommel is a rare masculine given name of German origin, first recorded in the United States in 1943, coinciding with the fame of German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Its peak popularity occurred in 1976, but it has since declined and has remained very uncommon, ranking 4,857th in 2025. The name is most associated with Texas, where it saw its highest usage. Though its etymology is debated, Rommel continues to be used sporadically, likely influenced by historical figures or family surnames. As a given name, it has a strong, distinctive sound and is almost exclusively given to boys.
Rommel is a German surname and given name whose exact etymology is debated. It may be a variant of Romuald, composed of the Germanic elements 'hrom' (fame) and 'wald' (rule), or it could derive from a place name or a diminutive of Roman. The name gained prominence due to German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel during World War II, after which it saw a modest increase in use as a first name in the United States, particularly in the 1970s.
Where Rommel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rom, Romy
Variants: Romuald
Sibling names for Rommel
Names that share Rommel's style, for a brother or sister.
