Find out how popular the last name Bode is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bode.

Bode, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bode surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bode in America

Bode is the 5919th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bode surname appeared 5,824 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Bode.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bode to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bode

The surname Bode is of German origin, derived from the Old German word "bode" or "boden," meaning "messenger" or "envoy." It is believed to have first emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century, when it was used as an occupational surname for individuals who worked as messengers or couriers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bode can be found in the Bode Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery located in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, which was founded in the late 12th century. This suggests that the name was already in use during this period and may have been associated with individuals living or working in proximity to the abbey.

In the 14th century, the name Bode appeared in various historical records, such as the Bode Register, a compilation of land and tax records from the region of Braunschweig in Lower Saxony, Germany. This register provides valuable insights into the geographical distribution and prevalence of the surname during that time.

One notable individual bearing the surname Bode was Johann Elert Bode (1747-1826), a renowned German astronomer and mathematician. He is best known for his contributions to the field of astronomy, including the discovery of the Bode's law, which describes the patterns in the distances of planets from the Sun.

Another prominent figure was Johann Joachim Christoph Bode (1730-1793), a German theologian and philosopher who played a significant role in the Enlightenment movement. His works, such as "An Attempt at the Allegorical Interpretation of the Doctrine of Reason," gained widespread recognition and influenced the intellectual discourse of his time.

In the 19th century, the surname Bode was carried by Wilhelm Bode (1862-1922), a German sculptor and medalist known for his works in Berlin and other German cities. His sculptures and medallions adorned several prominent buildings and public spaces, leaving a lasting impact on the artistic landscape of the era.

The name Bode has also been associated with several notable places, such as the Bode Valley in the Harz Mountains of Germany, which likely derived its name from the surname or the Old German word "bode." Additionally, the Bode River, a tributary of the Saale River in Saxony-Anhalt, may have connections to the surname's geographical origins.

Throughout history, the surname Bode has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scientists, theologians, artists, and others who have left their mark in their respective fields. While its roots can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name has endured and continues to be a part of German cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bode

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bode.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bode was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bode has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!