Robert Whelan

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Robert Whelan — bright fame
4.7 million People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Robert Whelan is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Robert is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. From the Old High German Hrodebert, composed of hrod (fame) and beraht (bright). Became very common in England after the Norman Conquest. The surname Whelan: The family name Whelan is an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin. The surname originates from the Middle Irish Úa Faeláin (plural Uí Faeláin) the name of the 10th to 11th century ruling dynasty of the Déisi, a population group inhabiting the area of the modern counties of Waterford and Kilkenny in the Early Middle Ages. The word faolán is derived from the Old Irish word faelán meaning a young (small) wolf; -án being of the diminutive suffix in Irish. Ó (anglicised as O') derives from the Old Irish úa, meaning "grandson", or more figuratively "patrilineal descendant". Robert is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 4.7 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Robert reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Robert

Meaning: bright fame

Germanic

From the Old High German Hrodebert, composed of hrod (fame) and beraht (bright). Became very common in England after the Norman Conquest.

Surname: Whelan

Celtic

The family name Whelan is an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin. The surname originates from the Middle Irish Úa Faeláin (plural Uí Faeláin) the name of the 10th to 11th century ruling dynasty of the Déisi, a population group inhabiting the area of the modern counties of Waterford and Kilkenny in the Early Middle Ages. The word faolán is derived from the Old Irish word faelán meaning a young (small) wolf; -án being of the diminutive suffix in Irish. Ó (anglicised as O') derives from the Old Irish úa, meaning "grandson", or more figuratively "patrilineal descendant".

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Robert is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 46%
United Kingdom 24%
Germany 13%
Australia 9%
Canada 8%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Robert by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Name Variants & Related Names

The name Robert has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

  • Rob
  • Bob
  • Bobby
  • Robbie
  • Roberto
  • Rupert
  • Robb

Notable People Named Robert Whelan

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Robert Whelan:

6
Expression Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

8
Soul Urge Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

7
Personality Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Robert?
The first name Robert originates from Germanic. From the Old High German Hrodebert, composed of hrod (fame) and beraht (bright). Became very common in England after the Norman Conquest.
When was Robert most popular?
The name Robert reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Whelan?
The surname Whelan originates from Celtic. The family name Whelan is an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin. The surname originates from the Middle Irish Úa Faeláin (plural Uí Faeláin) the name of the 10th to 11th century ruling dynasty of the Déisi, a population group inhabiting the area of the modern counties of Waterford and Kilkenny in the Early Middle Ages. The word faolán is derived from the Old Irish word faelán meaning a young (small) wolf; -án being of the diminutive suffix in Irish. Ó (anglicised as O') derives from the Old Irish úa, meaning "grandson", or more figuratively "patrilineal descendant".
What are the origins of the name Robert Whelan?
The name Robert Whelan combines two different traditions: the first name Robert has Germanic roots, while the surname Whelan originates from Celtic.
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