A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Bishop since 1880
Babies named Bishop per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2021, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bishop's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 93 |
| 1890s | 110 |
| 1900s | 111 |
| 1910s | 274 |
| 1920s | 313 |
| 1930s | 187 |
| 1940s | 200 |
| 1950s | 173 |
| 1960s | 104 |
| 1970s | 96 |
| 1980s | 102 |
| 1990s | 756 |
| 2000s | 1,417 |
| 2010s | 1,869 |
| 2020s | 1,175 |
Meaning & origin
Bishop is a name with clear ecclesiastical roots, directly referencing a Christian office. While never common, it has a notable history: first recorded in official U.S. data in 1880, it reached an early peak in 1890 at rank 2000 odd, then faded into obscurity before reemerging in the 1980s. Since 1986, its trajectory has been steadily rising, and by 2025 it earned a rank of 1188 with a 1-in-9931 birth rate. The name is most popular in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Indiana, states where religious and occupational surname names often resonate. Its revival aligns with a broader trend toward formal, title-like names, making Bishop a distinctive choice that carries weight without being overly common. As a given name, it remains overwhelmingly male, with almost no use for girls in the historical data.
Bishop derives from the Old English 'bisċop', itself from Latin 'episcopus' and Greek 'episkopos' meaning 'overseer' or 'guardian'. As a given name, it is rare but occasionally used, historically as a surname or title adopted as a first name. The name saw some use in the 19th century and has been revived in recent decades as a distinctive choice.
Where Bishop is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bish
Sibling names for Bishop
Names that share Bishop's style, for a brother or sister.
