Bodean first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Bodean has been for the last 37 years (from 1981 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Bodean

An English surname transferred to masculine given name of uncertain meaning.

Popularity of Bodean by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Bodean is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Bodean.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 5 0
1992 5 0
1981 5 0

The history of the first name Bodean

The name Bodean has its origins in the ancient Celtic language, which was spoken by various tribes across Western and Central Europe dating back to the 5th century BCE. It is believed to be derived from the Celtic word "boden," meaning "yellow-haired" or "fair-haired." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals with blonde or light-colored hair.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Bodean can be traced back to the 6th century CE, when it appeared in the Annals of Ulster, an ancient chronicle of medieval Irish history. In this text, Bodean was mentioned as the name of a chieftain from the northern regions of Ireland, indicating that the name was prevalent among the Celtic tribes of that region during that time period.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Bodean was relatively uncommon, with few notable figures bearing this moniker. However, in the 16th century, a Scottish poet and scholar named Bodean MacLeod gained recognition for his works, which celebrated the rich cultural traditions of the Scottish Highlands. MacLeod was born in 1543 and lived until 1612, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential literary figures of his era.

In the 17th century, a French explorer and cartographer named Bodean LaCroix made significant contributions to the mapping of North America's interior regions. LaCroix was born in 1622 and passed away in 1693, but his detailed maps and journals provided invaluable insights into the geography and indigenous cultures of the continent during that time.

Moving into the 19th century, Bodean Fitzgerald, an Irish-American politician and civil rights advocate, played a pivotal role in the fight for equal rights and representation for Irish immigrants in the United States. Fitzgerald, who was born in 1832 and died in 1911, served as a member of the Massachusetts State Legislature and was a vocal advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.

Finally, in the 20th century, Bodean Whitehorse, a Native American artist and activist from the Navajo Nation, gained recognition for his vibrant paintings and advocacy work. Whitehorse, born in 1927 and passed away in 2002, used his art to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of his people and raise awareness about the struggles faced by indigenous communities in the United States.

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

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

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"Bodean first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/bodean-meaning-and-history/.

"Bodean first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/bodean-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 July, 2025

Bodean first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/bodean-meaning-and-history/.

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