Ross
Ross: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɹɔs/ · /ɹɑs/
Meaning and origin of Ross
Root meaning: “promontory”
- A male given name transferred from the surname, of early 19th century and later usage.
Etymology
As a Scottish surname, from several places such as Roose in Cumbria or Roos in Yorkshire, both from Scottish Gaelic ros (“promontory”) or a Brythonic parallel of its source such as Welsh rhos (“moor, heath”). There were also several Norman families in Scotland who took their name from Rots in Calvados. Compare Rose, Rhodes. * As an English surname, from Wrose in Shipley, with loss of initial w. * As an English and German surname, from derivatives of the old Germanic root common in names *hrōþi (“fame”). Compare Rossell. * As a Cornish surname, from several places in Cornwall deriving from ros (“heathland”), related to the above Celtic word meaning "heath" or "promontory." See Rouse. * As a J
How popular is Ross?
Since 1880, 421 girls and 81,872 boys in the U.S. have been named Ross (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1508 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #122 in 1889. In 2025, 122 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Ross
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Ross
Sister and brother names that share Ross's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ross FAQ
What does the name Ross mean?
Ross traces back to a root meaning "promontory". A male given name transferred from the surname, of early 19th century and later usage. As a Scottish surname, from several places such as Roose in Cumbria or Roos in Yorkshire, both from Scottish Gaelic ros (“promontory”) or a Brythonic parallel of its source such as Welsh rhos (“moor, heath”). There were also several Norman families in Scotland who took their name from Rots in Calvados. Compare Rose, Rhodes. * As an English surname, from Wrose in Shipley, with loss of initial w. * As an English and German surname, from derivatives of the old Germanic root common in names *hrōþi (“fame”). Compare Rossell. * As a Cornish surname, from several places in Cornwall deriving from ros (“heathland”), related to the above Celtic word meaning "heath" or "promontory." See Rouse. * As a J
What is the origin of the name Ross?
Ross is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Ross?
Since 1880, 421 girls and 81,872 boys in the U.S. have been named Ross (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1508 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #122 in 1889. In 2025, 122 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Ross a boy or girl name?
Ross is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 421 girls and 81,872 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.