A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Bobbi since 1932
Babies named Bobbi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 115 |
| 1940s | 606 |
| 1950s | 2,625 |
| 1960s | 4,878 |
| 1970s | 6,863 |
| 1980s | 4,773 |
| 1990s | 2,442 |
| 2000s | 849 |
| 2010s | 589 |
| 2020s | 476 |
Meaning & origin
Bobbi originated as a nickname for Roberta, but has been used as an independent given name since the early 1900s. Its peak popularity came in 1971, when it ranked highest on the U.S. charts. After a period of decline, the name has been rising again since 2010. Bobbi is most common in Arizona, California, and New York, reflecting a broad geographic appeal. The name's friendly, informal sound and its association with the fashionable 'i' ending tie it to mid-century naming trends.
Bobbi is a diminutive of Roberta, the feminine form of Robert, which derives from the Old Germanic elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'beraht' meaning 'bright'. The name emerged as a pet form in the English-speaking world and gained independent use as a given name in the early 20th century.
Where Bobbi 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.
“Bobbi” around the world
Where Bobbi lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
13
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bob, Bobbie, Babs
Variants: Bobbie
Sibling names for Bobbi
Names that share Bobbi's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Bobbi
Names whose popularity has moved with Bobbi's over the last 50 years.
