UK boy's name
Rommel
A masculine Germanic name meaning "fame and renown".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rommel is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rommel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4685, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1996 to 2013. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Rommel. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rommel ranked #4685 for boys in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 boys were registered as Rommel.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rommel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4685
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Rommel mean?
The given name Rommel originates from the German language and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German word "rúm," which means "fame" or "renown," combined with the suffix "-el," indicating a diminutive or affectionate form.
During the medieval period, the name Rommel was initially associated with Germanic tribes and was primarily used in regions that are now part of modern-day Germany and surrounding areas. It gained popularity as a first name among the nobility and commoners alike, often reflecting a desire for fame or recognition.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rommel can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of medieval charters and documents from the 10th century. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Rummel," "Rummele," and "Rommele," reflecting the regional variations and language evolution over time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the first name Rommel. One of the most famous bearers was Erwin Rommel (1891-1944), a German field marshal during World War II, known for his brilliant military tactics and leadership in North Africa. His exploits earned him the nickname "Desert Fox."
Another prominent figure with the name Rommel was Theodor Rommel (1882-1970), a German politician and member of the Reichstag during the Weimar Republic. He was also the uncle of Erwin Rommel and played a role in the resistance movement against the Nazi regime.
In the realm of arts and literature, Rommel Mendès (1900-1964) was a prominent French writer and poet who contributed significantly to the Surrealist movement in the early 20th century. His works explored themes of dreams, the unconscious, and the blurring of reality and imagination.
Another notable figure was Rommel Fernández (1917-2011), a renowned Panamanian painter and sculptor. He was widely recognized for his vibrant and expressive artworks that captured the essence of Panamanian culture and traditions.
Lastly, Rommel Adames (born 1978) is a former Major League Baseball player from Panama who played as an outfielder for several teams, including the Chicago White Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates, during his professional career.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rommel over time
The chart below shows babies named Rommel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rommel, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rommel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rommel 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 | #4685 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3467 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2357 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Rommel
- 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
Rommel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rommel in the UK right now?
In 2013, Rommel was ranked #4685 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rommel most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Rommel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rommel?
A masculine Germanic name meaning "fame and renown".
How many people are called Rommel in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Rommel across the 3 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.