Find out how popular the first name Bode has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bode by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Bode is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 217 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Bode.

The history of the first name Bode

The name Bode has its origins in the German language and culture, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old High German word "boto," which means "messenger" or "herald." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who served as messengers or carriers of important news or proclamations.

In the early medieval period, the name Bode was predominantly found in regions of present-day Germany, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country. Its earliest recorded usage can be traced back to the 10th century, appearing in various historical documents and records from that era.

One notable historical reference to the name Bode comes from the Nibelungenlied, an epic poem written in Middle High German around the 13th century. In this literary work, a character named Bode is mentioned, although the specifics of their role or significance are not clearly defined.

Throughout history, several individuals with the first name Bode have left their mark in various fields. One of the earliest recorded was Bode von Lüttichau (c. 1260-1328), a German knight and landowner who played a role in the conflicts between the Margraves of Brandenburg and the Archbishops of Magdeburg in the 14th century.

Another notable figure was Johann Elert Bode (1747-1826), a German astronomer and writer who is best known for his contributions to the field of astronomy, including the formulation of the Titus-Bode law, which attempted to explain the patterns observed in the distances between planets in the solar system.

In the field of literature, Johann Joachim Christoph Bode (1730-1793) was a German writer and publisher who played a significant role in the promotion and dissemination of the works of the Enlightenment philosophers, such as Voltaire and Rousseau.

The name Bode also found its way into the realm of art, with the German painter and engraver Wilhelm Bode (1828-1897) making a name for himself as a prominent figure in the Düsseldorf School of Painting.

Finally, in the realm of music, the German composer and organist Johann Joachim Bode (1674-1738) gained recognition for his contributions to the development of the Protestant church music tradition in the early 18th century.

While these are just a few examples, the name Bode has a rich historical legacy that spans various disciplines and time periods, reflecting its enduring presence and significance within the German cultural sphere.

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

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

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