Find out how popular the first name Bubba has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bubba by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Bubba is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Bubba.

The history of the first name Bubba

The name Bubba is a diminutive form of the given name Brother, which originated in the Southern United States. It is believed to have emerged as a colloquial term used by siblings to address one another, particularly among lower-class families in rural areas. The earliest known usage of the name Bubba can be traced back to the late 19th century.

The name's roots are deeply ingrained in the cultural and linguistic traditions of the American South. It is derived from the Southern dialect's tendency to replace the "r" sound with a more guttural "b" sound, resulting in the transformation of "Brother" into "Bubba." This linguistic phenomenon is known as rhotacism and is a distinctive feature of many Southern American English dialects.

While there are no records of the name Bubba appearing in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its usage has been documented in various literary works and historical accounts from the 20th century. One of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name was Bubba Shone, a professional baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Athletics in the early 1900s.

Throughout history, several individuals with the name Bubba have gained recognition in various fields. One such person was Bubba Smith (1945-2011), a renowned American football player and actor who played for the Baltimore Colts and starred in the iconic film "Police Academy." Another notable figure was Bubba Sparxxx (born 1977), an American rapper and songwriter known for his contributions to the Southern rap genre.

In the realm of sports, Bubba Watson (born 1978) is a professional golfer who has won multiple major championships, including the Masters Tournament in 2012 and 2014. Bubba Franks (born 1978) is a former American football tight end who played for the Green Bay Packers and won a Super Bowl championship in 2010.

Bubba Dickerson (1941-2016) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who achieved success in the country music genre, recording several hit singles and albums during his career. His contributions to the development of the Southern rock and outlaw country music styles have left a lasting impact on the genre.

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

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

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