Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Roberto
BoySpanish, Italian· “bright fame”
- Meaning
- bright fame
- Origin
- Spanish, Italian
- Pronunciation
- roh-BEHR-toh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #570
- US babies 2025
- 519
- Best rank
- #145 (1980)
- Peak year
- 1991
Meaning and origin of Roberto
Roberto is a Spanish and Italian name that means “bright fame”.
Roberto is the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Robert, from the Germanic Hrodebert, made of hrod, fame, and beraht, bright. The name spread across Europe in the Middle Ages and has long been a staple in Spanish- and Italian-speaking countries. The baseball star Roberto Clemente, admired as much for his humanitarian work as for his play, is one of its best-known bearers in the United States. Roberto feels classic, warm and energetic. Beto and Tito are common Spanish nicknames, and Rob or Robbie can serve in English.
Popularity over time
Roberto first appears in US Social Security records in 1897. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 121 different years, starting in 1903. Its best national rank was #145 in 1980, and the most babies received it in 1991, when 2,117 were named Roberto. In 2025, 519 babies were named Roberto, and it ranked #570 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #496 in 1920, #270 in 1950, #145 in 1980, #187 in 2000, #273 in 2010, and #570 in 2025. Of the 112,643 US boys named Roberto since records began, 18% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 18,008 babies. Since 2010, 12,799 more have been named Roberto.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Mathew, Tevin, Ruben, Jonathon, and Devante.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Roberto ranked highest in Texas, California, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #270 | 148 |
| California | #303 | 123 |
| Arizona | #329 | 24 |
| New Mexico | #416 | 5 |
| Nevada | #433 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Roberto is usually pronounced roh-BEHR-toh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with R and ends in “-to”.
Middle names for Roberto
A few middle names that flow with Roberto: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Roberto
Similar names
Ernesto Boy
ur-NEHS-toh
“serious, resolute” · Spanish
#878
Benito Boy
beh-NEE-toh
“blessed” · Spanish
#1,002
Armando Boy
ahr-MAHN-doh
“army man” · Spanish
#556
Gerardo Boy
heh-RAHR-doh
“brave spear” · Spanish
#678
Gustavo Boy
goos-TAH-voh
“staff of the Geats” · Spanish
#625
Arturo Boy
ahr-TOO-roh
“uncertain; perhaps 'bear'” · Spanish
#627
Alfredo Boy
al-FRAY-doh
“elf counsel” · Italian
#820
Humberto Boy
oom-BEHR-toh
“bright warrior” · Spanish
#1,876
Lorenzo Boy
luh-REHN-zoh
“from Laurentum” · Italian
#117
Tito Boy
TEE-toh
“pet form of Titus and similar names” · Spanish
#4,239
Alonzo Boy
uh-LAHN-zoh
“noble and ready” · Spanish
#511
Leandro Boy
lee-AN-droh
“lion man” · Spanish
#406
Lists that include Roberto
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Roberto mean?
Roberto is a Spanish and Italian name that means “bright fame”.
What is the origin of the name Roberto?
Roberto has Spanish, Italian, and Germanic roots. Roberto is the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Robert, from the Germanic Hrodebert, made of hrod, fame, and beraht, bright.
Is Roberto a popular name?
Yes. Roberto ranked #570 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Roberto a boy or girl name?
Roberto is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Roberto?
Roberto is usually pronounced roh-BEHR-toh. 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