Bash
An English name derived from the word "boisterous" or "lively".
Name Census estimates that about 123 living Americans carry the first name Bash. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Bash today is around 6 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Bash births was 2021 (21 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Bash. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
123
~ 1 in 2,786,621 Americans
Peak year
2021
21 babies that year
Average age
6
years old
2024 SSA rank
#7,797
Tracked since 2014
Popularity
Bash: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Bash from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 78 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Bash by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Bash during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Bash
The name Bash has its origins in the Persian language and culture, dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Persian word "bāsh," which means "to exist" or "to be." The name was initially used as a term of endearment, expressing a desire for a child to have a long and prosperous life.
In ancient Persian texts, the name Bash is mentioned in several poems and literary works, often associated with themes of longevity, wisdom, and perseverance. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in the epic poem "Shahnameh" by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi, written between 977 and 1010 AD.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Bash. One of the most famous was Bash Badeen (1530-1604), a Persian scholar and philosopher who wrote extensively on topics such as ethics, metaphysics, and the nature of existence. His works had a significant influence on Persian intellectual thought during the Safavid dynasty.
Another prominent figure was Bash Khan (1690-1752), a military leader and governor in the Mughal Empire. He played a crucial role in the expansion of the empire's territories and the defense of its borders against invaders. His military tactics and leadership skills were widely acclaimed, and he is remembered as one of the greatest generals of his time.
In the realm of literature, Bash Bahadur (1810-1878) was a renowned Urdu poet and writer. His poetry, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, earned him widespread recognition and admiration. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of Urdu literature.
Moving to more recent times, Bash Tawfiq (1920-1989) was an Egyptian novelist and playwright. His works, which often tackled social and political issues, were instrumental in shaping the modern Egyptian literary landscape. He is regarded as one of the most important voices in 20th-century Arabic literature.
Another notable figure was Bash Parsee (1935-2008), an Iranian musician and composer. He was a pioneer in the fusion of traditional Persian music with elements of Western classical and jazz genres. His innovative approach to music and his contributions to the preservation of Persian cultural heritage have left an indelible mark on the world of music.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Bash throughout history, each leaving their unique mark on their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human culture and civilization.
People
Bash + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Bash as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with B
Other first names starting with B with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Bash: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Bash?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 123 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Bash going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,786,621 US residents.
Is Bash a common name?
We classify Bash as "Very Rare". It ranks above 67.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 124 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Bash most popular?
The single biggest year for Bash was 2021, when 21 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Bash is about 6 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Bash in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Bash a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Bash in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Bash still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Bash in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Bash can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Bash?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.