Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.
Robson is a relatively common name in Brazil. I know, I know, in English-speaking countries Robson is a surname, not a given name. This has been a source of confusion since I moved to Canada. People think I am giving them my last name when they are asking for my first name. Important to realize, there were cultural motives for this to be a common name in Brazil.
Significance
Now, a curious thing happened around the 70s and the 80s in Brazil. Parents started adopting English surnames for their children’s given names. They wanted the name to sound fashionable, distinct, foreign.
The unconscious motivation behind this is actually heartwarming. Many of those parents were migrants. They came from rural and poorer regions of Brazil. Many of them moved from the Northeast into big cities including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. That was what happened to my own parents. My mom came from Bahia and my dad from Minas Gerais. They both moved to São Paulo when they were barely teenagers. Life wasn’t easy for them. They worked hard to make a living. The big city was unforgiving, it was called the concrete jungle (selva de pedra) at the time. They wanted to cut their children from that place of non belonging. Ultimately, they wanted to give a better life for them. And that started with their name.
Meaning
Robson, means “son of Rob”, with Rob being a diminutive for Robert. Robert, in its turn, comes from the Germanic elements hrod (fame) and beraht (bright). Thus, Robson can be interpreted as “son of the famous and bright one.” Particularly, the name symbolizes qualities like renown, brilliance, and strength, traits often linked with leaders and respected figures.
Both its significance and its meaning aren’t lost on me. My parents wanted the very best for me. From the very beginning. They wanted me to start right at life, but also to get far, to get famous, to be brilliant. As if this was already in our family for generations, and I was just perpetuating it. As far as I am concerned, I want to honor my ancestors and their aspirations for me. I am very proud of my name, and thankful to my mom and dad for giving it to me.