Robin
/ˈrɒbɪn/noun
A small songbird of the thrush family, especially the European robin or the American robin.
Did you know?The bird’s name was originally a pet form of Robert, and the familiar redbreast bird inherited that human nickname later, not the other way around.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
Robin
“A familiar pet name for Robert, used as a nickname or personal name.”
Late Middle English
English
Robin
“A common nickname for the redbreast bird, by transfer from the personal name.”
16th Century
English
robin redbreast
“The small bird with a red breast, especially the European robin.”
Old French
French
Robin
“A pet form of Robert.”
Germanic
Proto-Germanic
Hruodberhtaz
“A compound personal name meaning roughly “fame-bright” or “bright with glory.””