Rambo

♂ Boy

Pronounced RAM-boh /ˈræm.boʊ/High

Meaning: A Swedish surname (an old family name, possibly 'raven's nest / ram-hill' by folk etymology), best known worldwide as the tough film character John Rambo. Used as a bold given name; the pop-culture link is noted honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A bold, punchy name: Rambo is a Swedish surname best known from the films (said 'RAM-boh'). Tough — the pop link is noted.

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Origin LowSwedish, American

MeaningA Swedish surname (an old family name, possibly 'raven's nest / ram-hill' by folk etymology), best known worldwide as the tough film character John Rambo. Used as a bold given name; the pop-culture link is noted honestly.

U.S. rank (2025)#11687 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1985

Total births (all-time)≈ 149

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Rambo is a Swedish family name (one of the earliest in colonial Delaware) that today most people know from the film character. As a given name it reads bold and punchy; the pop-culture tie is noted honestly — very rare in the U.S. (said 'RAM-boh').

It appears only very rarely as a first name in U.S. data. Rare, bold, and pop-culture-flavored.

Did you know? Rambo is an old Swedish surname carried to colonial America, but it is best known worldwide as the tough action hero John Rambo — a pop-culture link we note honestly (said 'RAM-boh').

Overall data confidence 30%

References — Rambo — Swedish surname; pop-culture film character; origin debated

Variations

RambowRambohRambeau

Nicknames

RamBo

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rambo mean?

Rambo is an old Swedish surname; its exact origin is debated. It is best known as a film character, which we note.

How do you pronounce Rambo?

It's said RAM-boh /ˈræm.boʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rambo a boy or girl name?

Rambo is a boy's name.

How popular is Rambo?

Rambo is a very rare name in the U.S.