Boy name · Germanic
Rupert
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: bright fameRupert is a boy's name that comes from Germanic and means "bright fame". It is used in English and German.
- Meaning
- Bright fame
- Origin
- Germanic
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #3831 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Rupert
As a boy's name, Rupert comes from Germanic and means "bright fame". It is used in English and German.
Rupert is also a surname: the 4,633rd most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 7,417 people. See the most common last names.
Its meaning puts Rupert on our names that mean light list.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Rupert on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Rupert on 7 lists.
“Germanic for bright fame; a very British classic”
From Boy cat names, classic boy cat names
“A posh British name for a well-groomed spaniel”
From Boy dog names, distinguished names for gentleman dogs
“Classic country-house charm in a waxed jacket”
From British funny names, posh British names
“Bright fame; Germanic. German form of Robert; Prince Rupert of the Rhine brought it to England”
From Classic boy names, royal and noble boy names
“Bright fame; Germanic. Rupe for short”
From Old man names, distinguished old man names
“A cozy, tweedy name for a countryside starter”
From Sourdough starter names, old-fashioned names for a sourdough starter
“Bright fame; German form of Robert, and a storybook bear”
From Unique boy names, unique vintage boy names
How popular is Rupert?
- US rank in 2025
- #3,831
- 29 babies, 17 per million boys
- Best rank
- #413 in 1899
- Most babies: 156 in 1920
- Babies since 1880
- At least 5,595
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 98 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 146 per million |
| 1900s | 133 per million |
| 1910s | 132 per million |
| 1920s | 108 per million |
| 1930s | 69 per million |
| 1940s | 38 per million |
| 1950s | 23 per million |
| 1960s | 18 per million |
| 1970s | 13 per million |
| 1980s | 10 per million |
| 1990s | 7 per million |
| 2000s | 5 per million |
| 2010s | 9 per million |
| 2020s | 15 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #5,998 | #3,964 | #6,635 | #4,613 | #4,249 | #4,104 | #5,392 | #4,194 | #3,878 | #3,831 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Rupert
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- BobbyBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- LopakaBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- RabBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- RabbieBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- RaibeartBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- RobbieBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- RobertBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- RobertoBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- RobinBright fame (Germanic, unisex)
- RoibeárdBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- RuprechtBright fame (Germanic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- ClaraClear, bright (Latin, girl)
- BertaBright, famous (Germanic, girl)
- LambertBright land (Germanic, boy)
- MurielBright sea (Scottish Gaelic, girl)
- RobertaBright fame (Germanic, girl)
- AlbertNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertoNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- HubertBright heart (Germanic, boy)
- RoxanaBright, shining (Persian, girl)
- BertBright (Germanic, boy)
Middle names for Rupert
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Germanic
- HugoHeart, mind (Germanic, boy)
- LiamShort for William, will helmet (Germanic, boy)
- LeonardoBrave lion (Germanic, boy)
- AlaricRuler of all (Germanic, boy)
- ArmandoArmy man (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoEagle (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoldEagle power (Germanic, boy)
- BaldwinBold friend (Germanic, boy)
- BernardBrave bear (Germanic, boy)
- BernardoBrave bear (Germanic, boy)
Rupert: common questions
What does the name Rupert mean?
Rupert comes from Germanic and means "bright fame".
Is Rupert a boy or girl name?
Rupert is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Rupert come from?
Rupert comes from Germanic and means "bright fame". Today it is used in English and German.
How popular is the name Rupert?
Rupert ranked #3,831 in the US in 2025, with 29 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Rupert?
Forms of Rupert with the same meaning and origin include Bobby (English), Lopaka (Hawaiian), Rab (Scottish), Rabbie (Scottish) and Raibeart (Scottish).
What middle names go with Rupert?
Middle names that flow well with Rupert include Dean, Drake, Grant, Hugh and Jack. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.