Declining since 2010, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Bijou since 1998
Babies named Bijou per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 117 |
| 2010s | 128 |
| 2020s | 49 |
Meaning & origin
Bijou entered the U.S. popularity charts in 1998, a relatively recent addition to the naming landscape. Its peak came in 2010, likely influenced by cultural interest in European-sounding names. Since then, it has been falling in usage, reflecting a pattern common among highly distinctive word names that are embraced by a small set of parents and then slowly decline. The name is unmistakably French, meaning 'jewel,' and carries a delicate, upscale quality. In 2025, about 1 in 229,610 newborns was named Bijou, placing it well outside the top 10,000. Parents drawn to it often appreciate its brevity, elegance, and connection to precious objects, though it has not yet appeared among the top states by usage. Bijou remains a rare gem in the American naming pool, a subtle choice for those wanting something truly distinctive.
Bijou comes directly from the French word for 'jewel' or 'little gem,' derived from the Breton word 'bizou' meaning 'finger ring.' While rare in France as a given name, it has seen occasional use in English-speaking countries as a distinctive and elegant choice, particularly for girls.
Sibling names for Bijou
Names that share Bijou's style, for a brother or sister.
