Robin is a given name of Germanic origin, derived from the word "Hroðbjorn", which is composed of two elements: "hrod" meaning fame and "bjorn" meaning bear. Therefore, the name Robin means "famous bear". It has been used since the Middle Ages and was particularly popular in England during the Victorian era.
The name Robin has been associated with several historical figures throughout history. One of the most notable is Robert the Bruce, who was King of Scotland from 1306 until his death in 1329. He is often referred to as "Robert the Bruce" or simply "Bruce", but his given name was actually Robin.
Another famous bearer of the name Robin was Robin Hood, a legendary outlaw in English folklore. According to the stories, Robin Hood lived during the reign of King Richard I and fought against injustice by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. While it is uncertain whether there was a real person behind the legend, the name Robin has become synonymous with the heroic figure.
Today, Robin continues to be a popular given name for boys around the world. It is often used as a shortened form of the names Robert or Robinhood. Despite its historical associations, the name Robin does not have any specific religious or cultural significance and can be chosen by parents regardless of their background or beliefs.
In conclusion, Robin is a strong and distinctive given name with a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages. With its meaning of "famous bear", it has been worn by several notable figures throughout history and continues to be a popular choice for boys today.
The name Robin has a rich history in the United States, with a total of 46,253 babies named Robin born between 1881 and 2023. The popularity of the name has varied significantly over time, with several notable trends.
From 1881 to 1917, the number of births with the name Robin fluctuated between 5 and 33 per year, with a few exceptions. However, starting in 1918, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Robin, with 46 births recorded that year. This trend continued through the 1920s and 1930s, with the number of Robin births peaking at 257 in 1946.
The post-WWII era saw a decline in the popularity of the name Robin, but it remained relatively consistent throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with an average of around 1,000 births per year. However, starting in the late 1960s, there was another significant decline in the popularity of the name Robin, with fewer than 600 babies named Robin born each year between 1970 and 1982.
Despite this decline, the name Robin experienced a resurgence in the mid-1980s, with over 400 births per year recorded from 1983 to 1990. However, starting in the early 1990s, there was another significant drop-off in the popularity of the name Robin, with fewer than 250 babies named Robin born each year between 1994 and 2002.
The early 2000s saw a slight uptick in the number of Robin births, but this trend did not last long. Between 2003 and 2016, there were fewer than 150 babies named Robin born each year. However, starting in 2017, there was another resurgence in the popularity of the name Robin, with over 200 births recorded in each of the past six years.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Robin has fluctuated significantly over time, it remains a classic and enduring choice for parents in the United States. With over 46,000 babies named Robin born since 1881, it is clear that this name has stood the test of time.