Find out how popular the first name Bo has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bo by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Bo is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 94% of people named Bo being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 630 male babies and 22 female babies born with the name Bo.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 22 baby girls were named Bo in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Bo

The name Bo has its origins in several different cultures and languages around the world. It is believed to have first emerged as a diminutive or nickname form of longer names in various regions.

In Scandinavian countries, Bo is a shortened version of the Old Norse name Böðvarr, which means "messenger of war" or "warrior." This name was commonly used in ancient Viking societies and can be found in Norse sagas and historical records.

In China, Bo is a common surname that can also be used as a given name. It is derived from the Chinese character "波," which means "wave" or "ripple." The name has been used in Chinese culture for centuries and is found in various historical texts and records.

In Vietnam, Bo is a diminutive form of the name Bảo, which means "precious" or "treasure." It has been a popular name in Vietnamese culture for many generations.

In India, Bo is sometimes used as a short form of the Sanskrit name Bodhi, which means "enlightenment" or "awakening." This name has significant importance in Buddhist traditions and is found in various religious texts and scriptures.

Some notable historical figures with the name Bo include:

1. Bo Diddley (1928-2008), an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known as a founding father of rock and roll.
2. Bo Guagua (born 1987), the son of former Chinese politician Bo Xilai, who gained notoriety during his father's political scandal.
3. Bo Burnham (born 1990), an American comedian, musician, and actor, known for his satirical comedy and social commentary.
4. Bo Jackson (born 1962), a former American professional baseball and football player, known for his exceptional athleticism in both sports.
5. Bo Svenson (born 1941), a Swedish-American actor and martial artist, best known for his roles in various action films and TV shows.

While the name Bo has diverse roots and meanings across different cultures, it has been used throughout history as a shortened or diminutive form of longer names, often carrying connotations of strength, valor, or enlightenment.

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 Bo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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