Roberta is a feminine given name of Italian origin. It is derived from the male name Roberto, which itself originates from the Germanic elements "hrod" meaning fame and "bern" meaning bear. Therefore, the meaning of Roberta can be interpreted as "famous bear."
The name Roberta has been used throughout history, with notable figures bearing this name including Roberta Flack, an American singer-songwriter who won multiple Grammy Awards in the 1970s, and Roberta Bondar, a Canadian neurologist and the first woman to go to space. This demonstrates that the name Roberta has been carried by individuals of accomplishment and distinction.
While Roberta is not particularly common today, it was more prevalent during the mid-20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, the peak popularity of the name occurred in 1954 when it reached number 367 on the list of most popular baby girl names.
The name Roberta may also have some regional variations and diminutives such as Robbie, Robbi, or Bertie. However, regardless of these variations, the core name Roberta maintains its Italian origins and Germanic meaning.
In summary, Roberta is a feminine given name of Italian origin with a Germanic meaning of "famous bear." It has been carried by notable figures throughout history and while not particularly common today, it was more popular during the mid-20th century.
The name Roberta has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States, as reflected in the birth statistics provided. Between 1914 and 1990, there were a total of 782 girls named Roberta.
The name's peak in popularity occurred during the late 1930s to early 1940s. In 1935, there were 21 births, marking the highest number of babies named Roberta in any given year during this period. This trend continued with 20 births in 1936 and 18 births in 1937.
Interestingly, the name's popularity dipped significantly after World War II. Between 1945 and 1950, there were only 64 births recorded for girls named Roberta. However, it seems that the name began to regain some traction in the mid-1950s, with 17 births each in 1955 and 1958.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the number of babies named Roberta remained relatively steady, ranging from a low of five births in 1979 to a high of nine births in 1974. This trend continued into the early 1980s, with numbers hovering around seven to nine births per year.
While it may not have maintained the same level of popularity as during its peak decades, the name Roberta has nonetheless remained a fixture in American baby-naming culture for nearly a century. These statistics serve as a fascinating snapshot of how one particular name has evolved and shifted in popularity over time.