Robel
An Amharic masculine name meaning "brilliant" or "shining light".
Name Census estimates that about 690 living Americans carry the first name Robel. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Robel today is around 19 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Robel births was 2009 (35 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Robel. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
690
~ 1 in 496,745 Americans
Peak year
2009
35 babies that year
Average age
19
years old
2024 SSA rank
#5,826
Tracked since 1984
Popularity
Robel: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Robel from the 1980s through to the 2020s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 236 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Robel remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Robel by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Robel during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Robels live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. California, Georgia, Nevada recorded the most babies named Robel, while Washington, Texas, Nevada recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 11 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Robel
The name Robel is of Amharic origin, derived from the Semitic root "RBL" meaning "to grow" or "to increase". It is a popular given name among the Amhara people of Ethiopia and Eritrea, who trace their ancestry back to the ancient Axumite Empire.
Robel first appeared in historical records around the 4th century CE, during the height of the Axumite kingdom. It was a name bestowed upon children with the hope that they would grow and thrive, reflecting the cultural values and aspirations of the Amhara people.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Robel was a prominent scholar and theologian who lived in the 7th century CE. His written works contributed significantly to the development of the Ge'ez literary tradition, which served as a foundation for the spread of Christianity in the region.
In the 12th century, a renowned Amhara warrior named Robel led a successful campaign against invading forces, earning him a place in the annals of Ethiopian history. His bravery and leadership skills were celebrated in oral traditions and folk tales, further popularizing the name.
During the 16th century, a notable figure named Robel served as a trusted advisor to Emperor Gelawdewos, playing a crucial role in the administration of the Ethiopian Empire. His wisdom and counsel were highly valued by the imperial court.
In more recent times, Robel Teklehaimanot was an accomplished Ethiopian athlete who excelled in long-distance running. Born in 1964, he won numerous international competitions, including the prestigious Boston Marathon in 1989, bringing pride and recognition to his country.
Another notable individual with the name Robel is Robel Phillipos, an American of Ethiopian descent. Born in 1994, he gained public attention for his involvement in the investigation surrounding the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, highlighting the global reach and diversity of the name.
While the name Robel has its roots in ancient Amhara culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be embraced by Ethiopian communities worldwide, carrying with it the aspirations and resilience of its heritage.
People
Robel + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Robel as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Robel: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Robel?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 690 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Robel going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 496,745 US residents.
Is Robel a common name?
We classify Robel as "Very Rare". It ranks above 87.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 700 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Robel most popular?
The single biggest year for Robel was 2009, when 35 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Robel is about 19 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Robel a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Robel in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.