UK boy's name
Robinson
A masculine name derived from the surname Robinson meaning "son of Robin".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Robinson is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Robinson popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4702, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 6 births.
This profile covers 19 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2005 to 2019. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 19 living people in the UK are called Robinson. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Robinson ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 6 boys were registered as Robinson.
- • About 19 living people in the UK are estimated to have Robinson as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4702
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2005
6 births
Estimated living
19
2026
Meaning
What does Robinson mean?
The given name Robinson has its origins in the Old English language and is derived from the combination of the words "rod" meaning "bright" and "beorht" meaning "fame." It is believed to have first emerged as a surname during the Middle Ages, around the 12th century, and was likely used to identify someone who had gained a level of fame or renown within their community.
In its earliest recorded use as a given name, Robinson can be traced back to the 16th century in England. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Robinson Throckmorton, an English landowner and member of Parliament who lived from 1565 to 1626. During this period, the name began to gain popularity among English families, particularly those of noble or aristocratic backgrounds.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Robinson. One of the most famous is Robinson Crusoe, the fictional character created by Daniel Defoe in his 1719 novel of the same name. While not a real person, the character's name has become synonymous with the idea of being stranded on a deserted island, and the novel is considered a literary classic.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Robinson Jeffers, an American poet and environmentalist who lived from 1887 to 1962. His works, which often drew inspiration from the natural world and explored themes of human existence, earned him critical acclaim and a place among the most influential poets of the 20th century.
In the realm of sports, Robinson Canó, a Dominican professional baseball player born in 1982, has achieved significant success. A former second baseman for teams like the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, Canó was an eight-time All-Star and won two World Series championships.
The name Robinson also has a notable presence in the world of music. Robinson Mills, an American gospel singer and songwriter born in 1976, has gained widespread recognition for his contributions to contemporary Christian music. His albums have topped various Billboard charts and earned him numerous awards and accolades.
While the name Robinson may have originated as a surname, its transition to a given name has been well-established over centuries. Its rich history and diverse bearers have contributed to its enduring popularity and significance across various cultures and societies.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Robinson over time
The chart below shows babies named Robinson registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Robinson, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Robinson by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Robinson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4458 | 10 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3235 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Robinson
- 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
Robinson: questions and answers
How popular is the name Robinson in the UK right now?
In 2019, Robinson was ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Robinson most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 6 babies registered as Robinson in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Robinson?
A masculine name derived from the surname Robinson meaning "son of Robin".
How many people are called Robinson in the UK?
A total of 19 babies have been registered as Robinson across the 5 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.