UK boy's name
Roben
A feminine name of German origin meaning "famous for glory".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Roben is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Roben popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2009 to 2020. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Roben. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Roben ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Roben.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Roben as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4608
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Roben mean?
The given name Roben is believed to have originated from the Dutch language, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is a variant of the more common name Robert, which is derived from the Germanic elements "hrod" meaning "fame" and "berht" meaning "bright."
In the Netherlands, the name Roben was often used as a shortened form of Robert, particularly among the working-class and rural communities. However, it eventually gained recognition as a distinct name in its own right, with its unique spelling and pronunciation.
While there are no definitive historical records of the name Roben appearing in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is possible that it was used as a colloquial variant of Robert in certain regions of the Netherlands during the medieval period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Roben can be found in the Dutch census records from the late 16th century, where it appears as a given name for several individuals living in various towns and villages across the country.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Roben, although it has never been as widely popular as its parent name, Robert. One such individual was Roben van der Jagt (1564-1638), a Dutch painter and engraver known for his landscape and architectural works.
Another noteworthy figure was Roben Huizinga (1672-1747), a Dutch philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on the intersection of religion and reason. His most famous work, "The Reconciliation of Reason and Faith," was widely influential in its time.
In the 19th century, Roben Duvall (1815-1892), a Dutch-American entrepreneur and industrialist, made a name for himself in the emerging steel industry of the United States. He founded the Duvall Steel Company, which played a significant role in the industrialization of the country.
Moving into the 20th century, Roben Koolhaas (1944-present), a renowned Dutch architect and urbanist, has left an indelible mark on the world of architecture with his innovative and unconventional designs. He is best known for projects such as the Seattle Central Library and the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing.
Finally, Roben Rijnders (1969-present), a Dutch actor and director, has achieved recognition for his work in both film and theater. He has starred in several critically acclaimed Dutch productions and has also directed various plays and movies.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Roben over time
The chart below shows babies named Roben registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Roben, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Roben by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Roben was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4608 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Roben
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Roben: questions and answers
How popular is the name Roben in the UK right now?
In 2020, Roben was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Roben most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Roben in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Roben?
A feminine name of German origin meaning "famous for glory".
How many people are called Roben in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Roben across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.