A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Bambi since 1943
Babies named Bambi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 65 |
| 1950s | 1,275 |
| 1960s | 1,294 |
| 1970s | 1,356 |
| 1980s | 1,045 |
| 1990s | 92 |
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 44 |
| 2020s | 60 |
Meaning & origin
Bambi first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1943, shortly after Disney's animated film. The name peaked in popularity in 1979 at rank 6546, but fell out of favor in subsequent decades. Since 2010, however, Bambi has seen a modest revival, reflecting a broader trend of nature and vintage names. In 2025, roughly 1 in 94,545 newborn girls was named Bambi, a rate still far below its 1970s heyday. The name is most common in states with a taste for quirky, nostalgic choices, though it does not appear in any top state rankings. Its enduring association with the gentle deer character gives it a soft, woodland charm, while its Italian roots lend a touch of European flair.
The name Bambi was popularized by the 1923 novel 'Bambi, a Life in the Woods' by Felix Salten and the subsequent 1942 Disney animated film. It may derive from the Italian word 'bambino' (child) or be a nickname for Barbara. As a given name, it saw a rise in the United States following the film's release, becoming a symbol of the 1970s.
Where Bambi is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Bambi” around the world
Where Bambi lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bam, Bee
Sibling names for Bambi
Names that share Bambi's style, for a brother or sister.
