Rising since 2001, #449 for boys today.
Popularity of Bo since 1907
Babies named Bo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0 | 5 |
| 1910s | 0 | 23 |
| 1920s | 5 | 42 |
| 1930s | 0 | 24 |
| 1940s | 0 | 51 |
| 1950s | 0 | 140 |
| 1960s | 0 | 258 |
| 1970s | 10 | 566 |
| 1980s | 184 | 1,868 |
| 1990s | 117 | 2,135 |
| 2000s | 166 | 2,222 |
| 2010s | 223 | 3,866 |
| 2020s | 160 | 3,784 |
Meaning & origin
Bo is a short, punchy name that has seen a notable resurgence in recent decades. First recorded in 1907, it spent much of the early 20th century as a rare choice, but since 2001 it has been steadily climbing the charts. In 2025, it reached its peak rank of 449, given to 1 in every 2,447 boys. The name is especially popular in states like Montana, South Dakota, and West Virginia. Its rise fits a broader trend toward brief, two-letter names and nicknames as full names. Despite its simplicity, Bo's origins remain somewhat ambiguous, drawing from Chinese, Scandinavian, and English sources, which adds a layer of international appeal. Its sound-alike cousin Beau has also seen increased use, but Bo retains a more straightforward, unadorned charm.
The name Bo has multiple possible origins. In Chinese, it can be a given name meaning 'precious' or 'wave'. In Scandinavia, it is a short form of names like Bodil or Boman, or from Old Norse búa meaning 'to live'. In English, it is often used as a nickname for Beauregard, but has also been used as an independent given name since the late 20th century.
Where Bo 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
Variants: Beau
Sibling names for Bo
Names that share Bo's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Bo
Names whose popularity has moved with Bo's over the last 50 years.
