Robert \r(o)-be-rt\ as a boy's name is pronounced RAH-bert. It is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Robert is "bright fame". A favorite name for boys since the Middle Ages. Especially favored by the Scots due to 14th-century king Robert the Bruce and to poet Robert Burns. Roberto is a Latin form of the name. Senator Robert Kennedy; poet Robert Burns; actors Robert DeNiro, Robert Duvall, Rob Schneider; author Robert Lawson; General Robert E. Lee; author Robert Ludlum; baseball players Roberto Alomar, Roberto Clemente.

Robert has 30 variant forms: Bert, Bertie, Bob, Bobbie, Bobby, Rab, Rabbie, Riobard, Rip, Rob, Roban, Robb, Robben, Robbie, Robbin, Robbins, Robbinson, Robby, Robers, Roberto, Robertson, Robi, Robin, Robinson, Robson, Robyn, Robynson, Rupert, Ruperto and Ruprecht.

For more information, see also related names Bo, Dobbs, Hobbes and Hopkins.