Find out how popular the first name Bona has been for the last 37 years (from 1986 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bona by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Bona is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 67% of people named Bona being male.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Bona.

It's also interesting to see that despite Bona being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2022 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Bona.

The history of the first name Bona

The name Bona has its origins in Latin, where it was a feminine given name derived from the Latin word "bonus," meaning "good" or "virtuous." It emerged during the classical period of ancient Rome and was initially associated with the upper classes and aristocracy.

In the early centuries of the Roman Empire, Bona was a relatively uncommon name, but it gained prominence during the later imperial era. One of the earliest recorded figures with this name was Bona Dea, a Roman goddess of fertility and chastity, whose mysterious cult was celebrated exclusively by women in ancient Rome.

As Christianity spread through the Roman world, the name Bona took on a new meaning, symbolizing the virtues of goodness, purity, and moral integrity. Several early Christian saints bore this name, including Saint Bona of Pisa (c. 1156 – c. 1207), an Italian mystic and member of the Third Order of St. Francis, and Saint Bona of Valois (c. 1181 – 1212), a French princess who renounced her royal status to become a nun.

During the Middle Ages, Bona remained a popular name across various European regions, particularly in Italy and France. One notable figure from this period was Bona of Savoy (1449 – 1503), the Duchess of Milan and a prominent patron of the arts, who played a significant role in the Renaissance culture of northern Italy.

In the Renaissance and early modern era, the name Bona continued to be used by notable individuals, such as Bona Sforza (1494 – 1557), a Polish queen consort and a member of the powerful Sforza family of Milan. Another prominent figure was Bona Margherita Vittoria Grimaldi (1746 – 1791), a renowned Italian composer and harpsichordist who contributed to the musical traditions of the Baroque period.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Bona gained popularity in various parts of Europe, especially in Italy and France. One notable figure from this time was Bona Peiser (1865 – 1952), a Polish-born Jewish activist who campaigned for women's rights and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Jewish Women's Union in Germany.

Other historical figures who bore the name Bona include Bona Castellani (1876 – 1937), an Italian sculptor and artist known for her works depicting religious and allegorical themes, and Bona Tonya (1908 – 1952), a Hungarian actress and singer who achieved fame in the early days of German cinema.

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

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

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