Find out how popular the first name Rolland has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rolland by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rolland is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 25 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rolland.

The history of the first name Rolland

The name Rolland is derived from the Old Frankish name Rodland, which is a combination of the elements "rod" meaning "famous" and "land" meaning "territory" or "land." This suggests that the name was originally given to someone who was known for their land or territory.

The name Rolland has its roots in the Frankish culture, which was a Germanic tribe that settled in the region that is now modern-day France, Belgium, and parts of Germany during the 5th century AD. The Franks played a significant role in the history of Europe, and their language and culture influenced the development of many modern European languages and naming traditions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rolland can be found in the Annales Bertiniani, a Frankish chronicle from the 9th century, which mentions a nobleman named Rolland who served under the Carolingian emperor Louis the Pious (778-840 AD).

In the Middle Ages, the name Rolland gained popularity in France and other parts of Europe. One notable figure from this period was Rolland of Parma (c. 1200-1259), an Italian jurist and canonist who served as a papal legate and played a significant role in the development of canon law.

During the Renaissance, the name Rolland was associated with several notable figures, including the French humanist scholar and writer Rolland de Lassus (1532-1594), who was a celebrated composer of Renaissance music.

Another notable Rolland from this period was Rolland Desbordes (1620-1694), a French mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the development of the Gregorian calendar.

In the 19th century, the name Rolland was popularized by the French writer and philosopher Romain Rolland (1866-1944), who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1915 for his novel "Jean-Christophe." Rolland was a prominent figure in the pacifist movement and was known for his works that explored the themes of freedom, human rights, and the power of the human spirit.

Another famous Rolland from this period was the French composer and organist Joseph Rolland (1835-1901), who was known for his compositions for organ and his contributions to the development of organ music in France.

In the 20th century, the name Rolland was associated with several notable figures, including the French writer and philosopher Rolland de Renéville (1894-1962), who was a prominent member of the Surrealist movement and wrote extensively on philosophy, art, and literature.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rolland was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rolland, please contact us.

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