Rob is a name of English origin, derived from the Germanic name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous". It is composed of two elements: "hrod", meaning "fame", and "-bert", meaning "bright".
The name Rob has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was introduced into England by way of Normandy after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name Robert was originally given to sons born to noble families, as it signified their high social status.
Over time, the name Robert became popular throughout Europe and was eventually shortened to Rob in some regions. Today, Rob is a well-known name used around the world, with many people bearing this name in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Despite its widespread use today, Rob remains a classic and timeless name that continues to be popular among parents looking for a strong and memorable moniker for their sons. Its powerful meaning adds an extra layer of significance to this enduring name choice.
The name Rob experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was quite uncommon, with fewer than 20 births per year from 1884 to 1950. However, beginning in the mid-1950s, its usage began to rise sharply, peaking at 555 births in 1963 and reaching a total of over 8700 births by the end of the statistics provided (2023). Since around 2008, however, the name's popularity has declined substantially, with fewer than 20 births per year recorded since then.