Bob

Q: What is the origin of Bob?

Bob is of English origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Bob a boy name?

Bob is traditionally a boy name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

male

Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Bright Fame"

A familiar diminutive of Robert, from Germanic elements meaning bright and fame.

Themes:diminutiverobertenglishcommon

Unique Rare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Bob

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#10012Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

#10012

Bob was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

-1672

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Bob Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Bob.

10 ideas

bie

Nickname

bobie

Nickname

boby

Nickname

bobo

Nickname

bbie

Nickname

bie

Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Bob

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Bob, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

16 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Bob mean?

Bob means "Bright Fame". A familiar diminutive of Robert, from Germanic elements meaning bright and fame.

What is the origin of Bob?

Bob is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Bob?

According to the latest SSA data, Bob is currently ranked #10012 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Bob a boy name?

Bob is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Bob?

Popular nicknames for Bob include bie, by, bo, bobie, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Bob?

There are many names similar to Bob in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish, Germanic

Syllables1

Length3 letters

US Rank#10012

Trend↓ Falling

Starts withB

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Alton Al Ashley Addison Anson

Sisters

Arlene Addie Ashlee Ashleigh Audra

Explore More Boy Names Like Bob

Bob has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Bob appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Light and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Last Names That Mean Light.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Bob pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Bob beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.