Given name & surname
Roll
“from the renowned land”
In English use, Roll is a diminutive of Roland. One German interpretation is “from the renowned land.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Roll is a diminutive of Roland. One German interpretation is “from the renowned land.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Roll is a diminutive of Roland. An origin associated with Roland is Germanic.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English usage, Roll is a diminutive of Roland.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1881. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Roll is a diminutive of Roland. The history of Roland gives this family its wider story. The Chanson de Roland tells of Charlemagne’s follower Roland and his death at Roncesvalles. His devoted friendship with Oliver forms part of that literary tradition; in Italian versions, Roland becomes Orlando.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Roll through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5
- 5 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1881
- 5 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for boys is 5 in 1881. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 4,666 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Roll’s family of names
In English usage, Roll is a diminutive of Roland. In German usage, Roll as a surname has a related form in Roell. In German usage, Roll as a surname has a related form in ROLLE.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Around the world
Roll has relatives in 3 languages.
5 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Roll, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Rollo
“from the renowned land”
>99% boys
Roli
“from the renowned land”
98% boys · 2% girls
Rolli
“from the renowned land”
89% boys · 11% girls
Roley
“from the renowned land”
>99% boys
Rollan
“from the renowned land”
>99% boys
Rolly
“from the renowned land”
>99% boys
Roldao
—
Rollie
“from the renowned land”
>99% boys