Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Roland
BoyGermanic, French· “famous land”
- Meaning
- famous land
- Origin
- Germanic, French
- Pronunciation
- ROH-luhnd
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #608
- US babies 2025
- 466
- Best rank
- #98 (1924)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Roland
Roland is a Germanic and French name that means “famous land”.
Roland comes from the Germanic Hrodland, made from hrod, "fame," and land, "land." It is best known from The Song of Roland, a medieval French epic about one of Charlemagne's knights, who dies heroically at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. The legend was retold across Europe, and in Italian the hero became Orlando. Roland was brought to England by the Normans and has been used ever since. It has a noble, slightly old-fashioned sound, and Rolly and Roly are affectionate nicknames. Rowland and Rolando are related forms.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rowland.
Popularity over time
Roland 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #98 in 1924, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,822 babies. In 2025, 466 babies were named Roland, and it ranked #608 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #114 in 1920, #187 in 1950, #365 in 1980, #690 in 2000, #771 in 2010, and #608 in 2025. Of the 100,829 US boys named Roland since records began, 17% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 15,001 babies. Since 2010, 6,919 more have been named Roland.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Arnold, Hubert, Willis, Edmund, and Leon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Roland ranked highest in Maine, Wisconsin, and Utah.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Roland is usually pronounced ROH-luhnd, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-nd”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rowland.
Middle names for Roland
A few middle names that flow with Roland: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Roland
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Lists that include Roland
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Roland mean?
Roland is a Germanic and French name that means “famous land”.
What is the origin of the name Roland?
Roland has Germanic and French roots. Roland comes from the Germanic Hrodland, made from hrod, "fame," and land, "land." It is best known from The Song of Roland, a medieval French epic about one of Charlemagne's knights, who dies heroically at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass.
Is Roland a popular name?
Yes. Roland ranked #608 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Roland a boy or girl name?
Roland is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Roland?
Roland is usually pronounced ROH-luhnd. 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