Bodey
A modern invented name possibly intended as a variation of Boden or Bodie.
Name Census estimates that about 592 living Americans carry the first name Bodey. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Bodey today is around 13 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Bodey births was 2010 (41 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Bodey. 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
592
~ 1 in 578,977 Americans
Peak year
2010
41 babies that year
Average age
13
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,073
Tracked since 1992
Popularity
Bodey: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Bodey from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 256 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Bodey remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Bodey 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 Bodey during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Bodeys live
Origin
Meaning and history of Bodey
The name Bodey is believed to have originated in the Celtic regions of ancient Britain and Ireland. It is thought to be derived from the Old Welsh word "bod," meaning "dwelling" or "homestead." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals by their place of residence or the location of their homestead.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bodey dates back to the 11th century, where it was mentioned in the Domesday Book, a survey of landowners and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appeared in various spellings, such as "Bodi" and "Bodie," reflecting the fluidity of name spellings during that era.
In the 12th century, a figure named Bodey ap Rhys was mentioned in the Welsh Chronicles as a prominent figure in the conflicts between the Welsh princes and the Norman invaders. This historical reference indicates that the name had gained significant recognition within Welsh society during that time period.
One of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name Bodey was Sir John Bodey, a English knight who lived in the 14th century and fought alongside Edward III in the Hundred Years' War against France. He was renowned for his bravery and military prowess on the battlefield.
During the Renaissance period, a Dutch painter named Pieter Bodey (1539-1599) gained recognition for his exquisite portraiture and landscapes. His works are still admired today and can be found in various art galleries across Europe.
In the 18th century, a Scottish philosopher named Thomas Bodey (1712-1786) made significant contributions to the field of moral philosophy. His writings on ethics and human nature were widely read and influenced subsequent generations of thinkers.
Another notable figure bearing the name Bodey was William Bodey (1789-1853), an English inventor and engineer who played a crucial role in the development of early steam engine technology. His innovations contributed greatly to the advancement of industrialization during the 19th century.
Throughout history, the name Bodey has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and achievements, reflecting its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.
People
Bodey + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Bodey 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
Bodey: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Bodey?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 592 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Bodey 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 578,977 US residents.
Is Bodey a common name?
We classify Bodey as "Very Rare". It ranks above 86.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 598 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Bodey most popular?
The single biggest year for Bodey was 2010, when 41 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Bodey is about 13 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Bodey a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Bodey 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.
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.