Rupert
Primarily a boy's name with 5,567 recorded births. Also given to 16 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Rupert is a boy's and girl's baby name of German origin, the English form of Robert, from the Old High German Hrodebert, meaning 'bright fame' — combining hrod (fame) and beraht (bright). Prince Rupert of the Rhine was a famous cavalryman and naval commander.
Rupert Bear — the beloved British children's character created in 1920 — made this name synonymous with gentle adventure and whimsical warmth. Prince Rupert's dashing military career gave it royal dash. Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame made it cool again for a generation. It's a name with extraordinary range: both storybook soft and genuinely distinguished.
EtymologyShow more
Though Rupert dates back to 1880 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded.
Rupert’s 5,567 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Rupert climbed 2582 spots in the last 20 years — from #6445 to #3863.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 123 | #4359 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 164 | #5993 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 109 | #7300 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 137 | #4950 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 183 | #2971 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 218 | #2208 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 346 | #1396 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 465 | #1127 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 569 | #888 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 732 | #723 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 1,185 | #579 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 881 | #526 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 181 | #585 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 167 | #525 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 107 | #625 | — |
The Story of Rupert
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Rupert is a name steeped in history. Boys named Rupert are most likely born between 1910 and 1930.
How rare is Rupert?
Only about 1 in every 124,138 babies born in 2024 was named Rupert — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 1,185 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Rupert by the numbers
- Would fill 116 school buses
- Meeting one Rupert per day would take 15.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29 | #3863 |
| 2023 | 26 | #4192 |
| 2022 | 18 | #5390 |
| 2021 | 26 | #4102 |
| 2020 | 24 | #4248 |
| 2019 | 22 | #4613 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6632 |
| 2017 | 27 | #3964 |
| 2016 | 15 | #5997 |
| 2015 | 22 | #4519 |
| 2014 | 16 | #5667 |
| 2013 | 13 | #6546 |
| 2012 | 13 | #6575 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9437 |
| 2010 | 15 | #5978 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9698 |
| 2008 | 12 | #7108 |
| 2007 | 11 | #7489 |
| 2006 | 8 | #9401 |
| 2005 | 14 | #5821 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Rupert as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Rupert has also been given to 16 girls in the U.S. since 1920.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rupert a boy's or girl's name?
When was Rupert most popular?
How popular is the name Rupert?
Can Rupert be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024