The name Rupert means “bright fame“, or so the Nameberry website tells me. The name originated as a German variation of Robert.
Nameberry goes on to say: “Rupert is a charming-yet-manly name long more popular in Britain … than in the U.S. Yet we can see Rupert as a more stylish, modern way to honor an ancestral Robert.”
Historical Ruperts include (all links lead to Wikipedia):
- Rupert of Salzburg, patron saint of salt miners
- Rupert of Bingen, patron saint of pilgrims. His feast day is 15 May, the day before our Rupert’s birthday – so maybe Rupert arrived in the world a little tardily…?
- Rupert, King of Germany
- Prince Rupert of the Rhine, “a noted German soldier, admiral, scientist, sportsman, colonial governor and amateur artist during the 17th century. … Rupert’s varied and numerous scientific and administrative interests combined with his considerable artistic skills made him one of the more colourful individuals of the Restoration period.”
- Rupert Mayer, “a German Jesuit priest and and a leading figure of the Catholic resistance to Nazism in Munich. In 1987 he was beatified by Pope John Paul II.”
- Rupert Brooke, First World War poet, and “the handsomest young man in England” according to WB Yeats
- Rupert Cambridge, Viscount Trematon
- Prince Rupert Lowenstein, financial manager to the Rolling Stones
And then there is the intriguing Prince Rupert’s Drop.
There are a number of other lovely actors named Rupert as well. Looks and talent must go with the name!
Fictional Ruperts include:
- Rupert Bear, a comic strip character in the UK
- Rupert Giles, a character in TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, played by Merlin‘s Anthony Head