Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Orlando
BoyItalian, Germanic· “famous land”
- Meaning
- famous land
- Origin
- Italian, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- or-LAN-doh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #873
- US babies 2025
- 275
- Best rank
- #246 (1975)
- Peak year
- 1987
Meaning and origin of Orlando
Orlando is an Italian and Germanic name that means “famous land”.
Orlando is the Italian form of Roland, from the Germanic hrod, fame, and land, land. Roland was a legendary knight of Charlemagne, and the Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto retold his adventures in Orlando Furioso. Shakespeare gave the name to the hero of As You Like It, and Virginia Woolf used it for the title character of her novel Orlando. The city of Orlando in Florida gives it a modern American association. The name is romantic and dramatic, with Lando and Orly as nicknames.
Popularity over time
Orlando has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 145 different years. Its best national rank was #246 in 1975, and the most babies received it in 1987, when 877 were named Orlando. In 2025, 275 babies were named Orlando, and it ranked #873 nationally. That is 37% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #449 in 1920, #533 in 1950, #283 in 1980, #401 in 2000, #433 in 2010, and #873 in 2025. Of the 49,454 US boys named Orlando since records began, 15% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 7,496 babies. Since 2010, 6,553 more have been named Orlando.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Dane, Chaz, Pierre, Jamel, and Cordero.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Orlando ranked highest in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #410 | 5 |
| Texas | #585 | 54 |
| Arizona | #663 | 10 |
| Maryland | #676 | 7 |
| California | #691 | 40 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Orlando is usually pronounced or-LAN-doh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with O and ends in “-do”.
Middle names for Orlando
A few middle names that flow with Orlando: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Orlando
Similar names
Rolando Boy
roh-LAHN-doh
“famous land” · Spanish
#1,374
Fernando Boy
fur-NAN-doh
“bold journey (from Ferdinand)” · Spanish
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Armando Boy
ahr-MAHN-doh
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heh-RAHR-doh
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Alfredo Boy
al-FRAY-doh
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ree-KAHR-doh
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ray-MOON-doh
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Leonardo Boy
lee-uh-NAHR-doh
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Eduardo Boy
ehd-WAHR-doh
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rih-KAHR-doh
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ahr-MAH-nee
“from the Italian surname; army man” · Italian
#495
Romeo Boy
ROH-mee-oh
“pilgrim to Rome” · Italian
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Lists that include Orlando
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Orlando mean?
Orlando is an Italian and Germanic name that means “famous land”.
What is the origin of the name Orlando?
Orlando has Italian and Germanic roots. Orlando is the Italian form of Roland, from the Germanic hrod, fame, and land, land.
Is Orlando a popular name?
Yes. Orlando ranked #873 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Orlando a boy or girl name?
Orlando is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Orlando?
Orlando is usually pronounced or-LAN-doh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings