Is Roberta a boy's or girl's name?

Roberta is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 782 recorded births.

When was Roberta most popular?

Roberta reached its peak popularity in 1953 with 4,299 births that year. It is currently ranked #2760 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Roberta?

Roberta is currently ranked #2760 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 171,485 babies since 1880.

Roberta

An uncommon Germanic pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysGermanicRising fast Also a pet name

#2760▼ 33in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from the Germanic languages, masculine equivalent Robert.

Roberta is a girl's and boy's baby name of Germanic origin, the feminine form of Robert, from Old High German elements meaning 'bright fame.' It was fashionable in the mid-20th century, following the pattern of feminizing popular male names.

Singer Roberta Flack, famous for Killing Me Softly with His Song, gave the name a soulful, artistic resonance. The nicknames Bobbie and Bert add a playful versatility. After decades of quiet use, Roberta is showing early signs of the vintage revival trend.

Compare Roberta with another name

Popularity Over Time

Roberta climbed 557 spots in the last 20 years — from #3317 to #2760.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Roberta
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	280	#3031	▼
2010s	564	#3027	▲
2000s	548	#3058	▼
1990s	1,299	#1407	▼
1980s	3,281	#620	▼
1970s	8,094	#319	▼
1960s	21,101	#177	▼
1950s	37,915	#109	—
1940s	38,050	#79	▲
1930s	27,731	#92	▲
1920s	18,219	#140	▲
1910s	10,370	#156	▲
1900s	2,372	#204	▲
1890s	1,120	#262	▲
1880s	541	#271	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Roberta
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	62	#2760	-2 (-3.1%)
2023	64	#2727	-1 (-1.5%)
2022	65	#2679	+17 (35.4%)
2021	48	#3327	+7 (17.1%)
2020	41	#3663	-17 (-29.3%)
2019	58	#2885	0
2018	58	#2896	+3 (5.5%)
2017	55	#3008	-6 (-9.8%)
2016	61	#2821	-1 (-1.6%)
2015	62	#2840	-4 (-6.1%)
2014	66	#2677	+24 (57.1%)
2013	42	#3688	-15 (-26.3%)
2012	57	#2998	-3 (-5.0%)
2011	60	#2901	+15 (33.3%)
2010	45	#3560	+7 (18.4%)
2009	38	#4085	-4 (-9.5%)
2008	42	#3841	-17 (-28.8%)
2007	59	#3022	-7 (-10.6%)
2006	66	#2721	+12 (22.2%)
2005	54	#2999	+8 (17.4%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Roberta as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Roberta has also been given to 782 boys in the U.S. since 1914.

Unranked

Current rank

782

Total births

1943

Peak year

Compare Roberta as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Roberta be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Roberta is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #2760. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Roberta has two lives

Roberta, the baby name

#2760girls

171,485 babies

Currently viewing

Roberta, the pet name

#2500pet name

37 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology