| Robert | William | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright fame | Resolute protector |
| Origin | Germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | ROB-ert | WIL-yum |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (91,655) | 1947 (67,002) |
| In 2025 | 3,772 | 10,545 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Robert | William |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 24,325 | 68,067 |
| 2010s | 62,654 | 159,981 |
| 2000s | 106,666 | 194,415 |
| 1990s | 205,459 | 217,822 |
| 1980s | 321,655 | 248,277 |
| 1970s | 397,225 | 283,401 |
| 1960s | 650,786 | 421,433 |
| 1950s | 830,395 | 591,228 |
| 1940s | 758,126 | 556,478 |
| 1930s | 590,810 | 416,730 |
| 1920s | 576,374 | 512,402 |
| 1910s | 239,185 | 303,017 |
| 1900s | 35,849 | 69,320 |
| 1890s | 26,147 | 72,244 |
| 1880s | 24,074 | 84,881 |
Robert is a Germanic name from hrod (“fame”) and beraht (“bright”), so “bright fame.” A Norman favourite, it was borne by the Scottish hero-king Robert the Bruce.
William is a Germanic name meaning “resolute protector,” from wil (“will, desire”) and helm (“helmet, protection”). William the Conqueror brought it to England in 1066, and it has been a royal staple ever since.
William is more popular than Robert today: about 10,545 US babies were given the name William in 2025, compared with 3,772 named Robert.
Robert means Bright fame (Germanic origin), while William means Resolute protector (Germanic origin).
In US records, Robert first appears in 1880 and William in 1880, so Robert has the longer recorded history.