Robin is a Medieval diminutive of Robert, or Roberta. Roberta originates in Germanic languages and means "Of shining fame". It is a feminine form of Robert. Robert has always been one of the most popular masculine given names in the United States. Roberta, on the other hand, has never gained such popularity as a feminine given name. Robin can be used as both feminine and masculine given names, currently it is more popular for girls in the United States. It was popularized by the legendary hero Robin Hood.