Roland Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Roland is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Roland?
Roland is spelled R-O-L-A-N-D. The name has 6 letters.
Roland at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Roland likely means “famous land” or “renowned land”, derived from the Old High German elements “hrod” meaning “fame” and “land” meaning “land.”
- Origin
- Roland is commonly associated with Germanic origins linked to Old High German linguistic roots.
- Pronunciation
- ROH-luhnd · 2 syllables
Roland Popularity in 2025
Rank#607
Recorded Births466
- Boys usage rose 56 places to #607 and recorded 53 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Roland Mean?
Roland likely means “famous land” or “renowned land”, derived from the Old High German elements “hrod” meaning “fame” and “land” meaning “land.”
Origin: Roland is commonly associated with Germanic origins linked to Old High German linguistic roots.
How Do You Pronounce Roland?
PronunciationROH-luhnd
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Roland?
- History
- The name Roland appears in medieval European literature, notably in the epic poem “The Song of Roland”, reflecting its usage in Frankish and medieval Western European contexts.
- Cultural notes
- Roland is associated with a legendary Frankish military leader featured in medieval epic poetry, symbolizing chivalry and heroic valor.
Roland Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 466 | #607 |
| 2024 | Boys | 413 | #663 |
| 2023 | Boys | 414 | #662 |
| 2022 | Boys | 461 | #608 |
| 2021 | Boys | 405 | #668 |
| 2020 | Boys | 490 | #570 |
| 2019 | Boys | 538 | #532 |
| 2018 | Boys | 514 | #545 |
| 2017 | Boys | 534 | #530 |
| 2016 | Boys | 510 | #562 |
| 2015 | Boys | 471 | #588 |
| 2014 | Boys | 438 | #610 |
| 2013 | Boys | 360 | #669 |
| 2012 | Boys | 313 | #740 |
| 2011 | Boys | 302 | #751 |
| 2010 | Boys | 290 | #769 |
| 2009 | Boys | 304 | #752 |
| 2008 | Boys | 296 | #754 |
| 2007 | Boys | 301 | #743 |
| 2006 | Boys | 265 | #782 |
| 2005 | Boys | 277 | #729 |
| 2004 | Boys | 236 | #767 |
| 2003 | Boys | 249 | #730 |
| 2002 | Boys | 238 | #735 |
When Was Roland Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1924 · Boys
1,822 recorded births
National rank #98
1925 · Boys
1,785 recorded births
National rank #98
1928 · Boys
1,779 recorded births
National rank #107
1929 · Boys
1,730 recorded births
National rank #104
Where Roland Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| ME | #172 | 7 |
| WI | #355 | 15 |
| UT | #378 | 12 |
| MI | #461 | 18 |
| CO | #468 | 12 |
| IL | #470 | 22 |
| MN | #477 | 11 |
| AL | #484 | 10 |