Find out how popular the first name Bless has been for the last 37 years (from 1987 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bless by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Bless is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 60% of people named Bless being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 32 male babies and 21 female babies born with the name Bless.

The history of the first name Bless

The name Bless has its origins in Old English, derived from the word "bletsian," which means "to consecrate or make holy." This name gained popularity during the medieval period, particularly in regions where English was spoken, such as Britain and parts of what is now the United States.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bless can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Blessius," likely a Latin variation of the Old English name.

In the 12th century, the name Bless is mentioned in the writings of the English historian and theologian William of Malmesbury. He refers to a monk named Bless who lived in the Abbey of Glastonbury during the late 11th century.

The name Bless has also been associated with religious figures and saints throughout history. One notable example is Blessed Blesilla, a 4th-century Roman noblewoman who dedicated her life to Christianity and asceticism. Her name is derived from the Latin word "blessus," meaning "blessed."

Among the earliest recorded individuals with the name Bless was Bless of Montserrat (c. 1010-1075), a Benedictine monk and abbot of the Monastery of Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Another notable figure was Bless Fenor (c. 1280-1349), an English theologian and philosopher who studied at the University of Oxford. He is known for his contributions to the development of medieval scholasticism.

In the 15th century, Bless Chetwood (c. 1420-1492) was an English cleric and bishop who served as the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield from 1486 until his death.

During the 16th century, Bless Alvarez (c. 1510-1568) was a Portuguese missionary and one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He is celebrated for his work in spreading Christianity in Europe and Asia.

Bless Lochner (1567-1624) was a German painter and engraver known for his religious artworks, particularly his depictions of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bless was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bless, please contact us.

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