Roland

Updated: October 19, 2023 by Stephanie Graham

Roland is a Germanic boy’s name meaning “famous land.” Roland has been a popular name in the US since 1900 and its popularity has been on the rise since 2010. Roland is a name traditionally associated with knights and chivalry and makes a great choice for any little boy.

Meaning and Origin of the name Roland:

Roland is a boy's name of German origin meaning “famous land,” “from the famous land,” or “renowned land.”

Roland is a Frankish name. Frankish is an old Germanic language. Roland is made up of the elements Hrōð (meaning “fame”) and land. Some believe that land was derived from the Frankish word nand (meaning “brave” or “daring”).

Symbolism of the name Roland:

Roland is a chivalric name and is associated with the symbols of knightly valor, most notably the sword. A sword was more than a weapon to a knight but also a badge of office.

Nicknames for the name Roland:

Roland is a strong name for boys and has cute nicknames. We compiled the nicknames in the list below to help you find a great one for your baby. Some of the nicknames have a couple spelling variations, so we've included those as well.

Roll
Rollo
Rolo
Rolly
Rollie
Raul
Rollo
Lando

Style of the name Roland:

Traditional

Gender of the name Roland:

Roland is a boy's name.

Pronunciation of the name Roland:

RO-lənd (English), RAW-LAHN (French), RO-lant (German)

Number of syllables in the name Roland:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Roland:

Roland evokes feelings of chivalry and bravery.

Alternative spellings for the name Roland:

Rolland
Rowland
Roeland

Popularity of the name Roland:

According to the Social Security Administration, Roland is a baby boy’s name that has been popular since 1900. Roland was in the top 200 names until 1954 but popularity has begun to return since 2010.