Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Ross
Ross
β Boy
Pronounced ROS /rΙs/Low
Meaning: Headland, promontory; high cape of landLow
In 30 seconds: Ross is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning headland or promontory. A clean one-syllable name, it is associated with the Scottish region of Ross-shire and with beloved TV character Ross Geller from Friends.
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MeaningHeadland, promontory; high cape of land
U.S. rank (2025)#1465 β Falling
2025 U.S. births122 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1985
Total births (all-time)β 81,874
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Ross derives from Scottish Gaelic ros meaning promontory or headland. It has been used in Scotland and English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Ross has a clean classic quality with both Scottish heritage and Friends pop culture associations.
Did you know? Ross Geller from Friends (1994-2004) β played by David Schwimmer β was the lovably nerdy paleontologist. We were on a break! became one of television's most quoted lines.
Overall data confidence 90%
Variations
RosseRos
Nicknames
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Famous Bearers
- β
Ross Perot (1930β2019)American businessman and philanthropist who ran prominent independent U.S. presidential campaigns in 1992 and 1996
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Frequently Asked
What does Ross mean?
Ross means headland or promontory from Scottish Gaelic ros.
How do you pronounce Ross?
Ross is pronounced ROS, a single syllable.
What is the origin of Ross?
Ross comes from Scottish, Irish Gaelic.
What names are similar to Ross?
Similar names include Grant, James, and Scott.