Ross (name) facts for kids

Ross is a name that can be used for boys, or it can be a family name. It comes from places like Scotland and Germany. Many people around the world have the name Ross, whether it's their first name or their family name.

What Does the Name Ross Mean?

The name Ross often comes from a Scottish word meaning "promontory" or "headland," which is a piece of land sticking out into the sea. It can also be linked to a German word meaning "horse." So, the name has different origins depending on where it came from.

Famous People Named Ross

Many well-known people throughout history and today share the name Ross. They come from different fields like art, sports, politics, and entertainment.

Ross as a Family Name

Artists and Entertainers

• Bob Ross (1942–1995) was a famous American painter and TV host. He taught millions of people how to paint "happy little trees" on his show The Joy of Painting. He was known for his calm voice and positive attitude.
• Diana Ross (born 1944) is an American singer and actress. She became famous as the lead singer of the group The Supremes. She has had many hit songs and is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
• Scott Ross (harpsichordist) (1951–1989) was an American harpsichordist. He was known for his amazing skill in playing classical music on the harpsichord, an instrument similar to a piano.

Sports Stars

• Kyla Ross (born 1996) is an American gymnast. She won a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics as part of the "Fierce Five" U.S. women's gymnastics team. She also won many medals at world championships.
• Cody Ross (born 1980) is an American baseball player. He played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder.
• Ben Ross (born 1980) is an Australian rugby league footballer. He played for various teams in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL).
• Browning Ross (1924–1998) was an American Olympian. He is often called the "father of long-distance running" in the United States because he helped make the sport popular.

Historical Figures

• Betsy Ross (1752–1836) was an American seamstress. Many people believe she sewed the first American flag, though historians still debate this. Her story is an important part of American history.
• Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876–1977) was an American politician. She made history by becoming the first female governor of a U.S. state, Wyoming, in 1925. She later became the first female director of the U.S. Mint.
• Lawrence Sullivan Ross (1838–1898), also known as Sul Ross, was a soldier and politician. He served as a general during the American Civil War and later became the 19th Governor of Texas. Texas A&M University is named after him.
• Ronald Ross (1857–1932) was a British physician. He won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1902 for his work on malaria. He discovered that mosquitoes carry the malaria parasite, which was a huge step in fighting the disease.

Other Notable People

• Dennis Ross (born 1948) is an American diplomat and author. He has worked for several U.S. presidents, helping with peace efforts in the Middle East.
• Edward Alsworth Ross (1866–1951) was an American sociologist. He studied how societies work and how people interact within them.

Ross as a First Name

Entertainers and Creators

• Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. (1919–1972) was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is famous for creating the cartoon characters Alvin and the Chipmunks.
• Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. (born 1949) is the son of Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. He continued his father's work, bringing Alvin and the Chipmunks to new generations.
• Ross Kemp (born 1964) is a British actor and journalist. He is well-known for his acting roles and for making documentaries about dangerous places around the world.
• Ross Mathews (born 1979) is an American television personality. He started as an intern on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and is now a popular host and commentator.
• Ross Noble (born 1976) is an English comedian. He is known for his unique and often improvised stand-up comedy shows.

Athletes

• Ross Rebagliati (born 1971) is a Canadian snowboarder. He won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in snowboarding at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
• Ross Taylor (born 1984) is a New Zealand cricketer. He is one of the most successful batsmen in New Zealand's cricket history.

Political Figures

• Ross Perot (1930–2019) was an American businessman and politician. He ran for President of the United States as an independent candidate in 1992 and 1996. He was known for his focus on reducing government debt.

Fictional Characters Named Ross

The name Ross also appears in many popular books, TV shows, and movies.

• Ross Geller is a main character on the popular TV series Friends. He is a paleontologist (a scientist who studies fossils) and is known for his sometimes awkward but funny personality.
• Thunderbolt Ross is a character in the Marvel Universe comic books and movies. He is a military general who often clashes with the Hulk.
• Dr. Doug Ross was a character on the medical TV series ER. He was a pediatrician (a doctor for children) played by George Clooney.
• Ross Poldark is the main character in The Poldark Novels, a series of historical novels and a TV show set in Cornwall, England.
• Pete Ross is a character in the Superman comic books published by DC Comics. He is often shown as a childhood friend of Clark Kent (Superman).