Robert m
English, Scottish, and French (also Scandinavian): one of the many French names of Germanic origin that were introduced into Britain by the Normans. This one is composed of the nearly synonymous elements hrod fame + berht bright, famous. It had a native Old English predecessor of similar form (Hreodbeorht), which was supplanted by the Norman name. It was the name of two dukes of Normandy in the 11th century: the father of William the Conqueror (sometimes identified with the legendary Robert the Devil), and his eldest son. It was borne by three kings of Scotland, notably Robert the Bruce (1274–1329), who freed Scotland from English domination. The altered short form Bob is very common, but Hob and Dob, which were common in the Middle Ages and gave rise to surnames, are extinct. See also RUPERT (SEE Rupert).
Cognates: Scottish Gaelic: Raibeart. Irish Gaelic Roibéard. Italian, Spanish, Portuguese: Roberto. German: Rupprecht. Low German (also English): RUPERT (SEE Rupert).
Short forms: English: Bob, Rob. Scottish: Rob, Rab.
Scottish: Robbie, Rabbie; Roban (Gaelic).
Feminine form: English: Roberta.
First names dictionary. 2012.