Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Robin
UnisexEnglish, Germanic· “bright fame; also the bird”
- Meaning
- bright fame; also the bird
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- RAH-bihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #704
- US babies 2025
- 400
- Best rank
- #25 (1962)
- Peak year
- 1961
Meaning and origin of Robin
Robin is an English and Germanic name that means “bright fame; also the bird”.
Robin began in the Middle Ages as a French-influenced pet form of Robert, the Germanic name meaning "bright fame." It is famous from the legendary outlaw Robin Hood, hero of English ballads, and the bird took its name from the familiar nickname, first as Robin Redbreast. In the twentieth century Robin became a unisex name, used for boys and girls alike, and it also serves as a nature name because of the bird. Robin is gentle, friendly and easy to spell. The variants Robyn and Robbin are also used.
Popularity over time
Robin first appears in US Social Security records in 1904. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 81 different years, starting in 1932. Its best national rank was #25 in 1962, and the most babies received it in 1961, when 15,653 were named Robin. In 2025, 400 babies were named Robin, and it ranked #704 nationally. That is 54% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,004 in 1920, #149 in 1950, #109 in 1980, #598 in 2000, #1,441 in 2010, and #704 in 2025. Of the 291,961 US girls named Robin since records began, 41% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 82,423 babies. Since 2010, 4,201 more have been named Robin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Robin ranked highest in Idaho, Colorado, and Nevada.
Gender, sound and spelling
Robin is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 55% of US babies named Robin were girls and 45% were boys.
Robin is usually pronounced RAH-bihn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-in”.
Middle names for Robin
A few middle names that flow with Robin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Robin
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Lists that include Robin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Robin mean?
Robin is an English and Germanic name that means “bright fame; also the bird”.
What is the origin of the name Robin?
Robin has English and Germanic roots. Robin began in the Middle Ages as a French-influenced pet form of Robert, the Germanic name meaning "bright fame." It is famous from the legendary outlaw Robin Hood, hero of English ballads, and the bird took its name from the familiar nickname, first as Robin Redbreast.
Is Robin a popular name?
Yes. Robin ranked #704 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Robin a boy or girl name?
Robin is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 55% of US babies named Robin were girls and 45% were boys.
How do you pronounce Robin?
Robin is usually pronounced RAH-bihn. 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