Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Roman
BoyLatin· “Roman, citizen of Rome”
- Meaning
- Roman, citizen of Rome
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- ROH-muhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #42
- US babies 2025
- 6,162
- Best rank
- #42 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Roman
Roman is a Latin name that means “Roman, citizen of Rome”.
Roman comes from the Latin Romanus, meaning Roman or from Rome. It has long been used in Eastern Europe, especially in Russia, Ukraine, Poland and the Czech lands, often in honor of several early saints named Romanus. In English it has become popular in recent decades, appreciated for its strong, simple sound and its link to one of history's great civilizations. Roman needs no nickname, though Ro is sometimes used.
Famous parents who chose Roman: Ashley Graham and Justin Ervin (2022). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Roman first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 142 different years, starting in 1882. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #42, and its highest count, 6,162 babies. Use has grown 58% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #379 in 1920, #556 in 1950, #535 in 1980, #317 in 2000, #186 in 2010, and #42 in 2025. Of the 104,653 US boys named Roman since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 30,269 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Bennett, Thiago, Miles, Wesley, and Weston.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Roman ranked highest in Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | #13 | 34 |
| Hawaii | #23 | 25 |
| Michigan | #26 | 211 |
| California | #27 | 874 |
| Louisiana | #30 | 93 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Roman is usually pronounced ROH-muhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Roman
A few middle names that flow with Roman: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Roman
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Lists that include Roman
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Roman mean?
Roman is a Latin name that means “Roman, citizen of Rome”.
What is the origin of the name Roman?
Roman has Latin roots. Roman comes from the Latin Romanus, meaning Roman or from Rome.
Is Roman a popular name?
Yes. Roman ranked #42 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Roman a boy or girl name?
Roman is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Roman?
Roman is usually pronounced ROH-muhn. 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