Declining since 1985, #1,097 for boys today.
Popularity of Bobby since 1900
Babies named Bobby per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 53 |
| 1910s | 411 |
| 1920s | 13,880 |
| 1930s | 69,419 |
| 1940s | 58,890 |
| 1950s | 53,281 |
| 1960s | 46,390 |
| 1970s | 29,077 |
| 1980s | 22,025 |
| 1990s | 11,384 |
| 2000s | 5,708 |
| 2010s | 3,281 |
| 2020s | 1,254 |
Meaning & origin
Bobby has been in consistent use as a given name since the early 1900s, with a sharp peak in the 1930s when it reached its highest rank in 1936. Its trajectory has been falling since 1985, reflecting a broader trend away from nicknames as full given names. In 2025, the name was given to 1 in 8759 boys, placing it at rank 1097. Geographically, Bobby is most common in Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Kentucky, suggesting a continuing appeal in the South and Midwest. While still familiar, its current use is modest, with many modern parents opting for the full form Robert or other classic names.
Bobby is a diminutive of Robert, which comes from the Old Germanic name Hrodebert, combining 'hrod' (fame) and 'beraht' (bright). Originally a nickname, it has been used as an independent given name since at least the 19th century, particularly common in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Where Bobby 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.
“Bobby” around the world
Where Bobby lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
#30
in 2025
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bob
Sibling names for Bobby
Names that share Bobby's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Betty, Sally, Peggy, Nancy, Annie, Becky, Billie, Bobbi, Bobbie, Cathy, Cindy, Connie, Ginger, Jackie, Joni, Patsy, Patty, Sandy, Tammy, Bobbijo, Cathie, Cheri, Cristy, Debby, Donnetta, Dottie, Jerrie, Joanie, Jonni, Jonnie, Judi, Judie, Kandy, Luanne, Marci, Maryjo, Marylee, Marylou, Missy, Niki, Patti, Peggie, Pennie, Ricki, Tammi, Tammie, Terrie, Vickey, Vickie, Bettylou, Billiejo, Billye, Bobbye, Bobette, Bonni, Cammy, Candie, Cathey, Cathi, Chrissy, Cyndi, Cyndy, Debbi, Debi, Donya, Dorie, Francie, Gidget, Janey, Jodee, Kimmie, Kimmy, Lannie, Lonna, Louann, Margy, Mistie, Nancee, Nancie, Nickie, Penney, Robbi, Ronni, Shirl, Suzi, Suzy, Tamie, Tommye, Vonnie, Wendie, Amyjo, Bettyjean, Bettyjo, Billee, Binnie, Bobbe, Bobbette, Bobbiejo, Bobi, Carrieann, Cindee, Cindie, Deanie, Debie, Emmajean, Janny, Jeani, Jinny, Joani, Jobeth, Johnnye, Kammi, Kandie, Krissie, Marysue, Maurie, Pati, Patsey, Patsie, Peggi, Robbye, Ronee, Saralee, Sherrye, Sindi, Sueellen, Tamy, Tangie, Tish, Tonnie, Babs, Boni, Buffi, Buffie, Chrisie, Chrisy, Cinde, Danney, Dody, Donni, Dotti, Ginni, Jammy, Jancy, Jeanny, Jerie, Jimmye, Johni, Johnni, Lolly, Lonette, Lonni, Margi, Missi, Mistee, Mystie, Nikie, Pammy, Pattye, Peggye, Pennye, Rockie, Ronnetta, Shary, Sheli, Shelvie, Shonnie, Syndi, Taffy, Tamme, Tammey, Tangee, Tonni, Caroljean, Kimarie, Anndee, Barby, Bekki, Bettyanne, Bobbyjo, Bobetta, Brandey, Cathye, Dedee, Dotsie, Georjean, Gloriajean, Jany, Jeanni, Jeany, Jerrye, Jodiann, Kathyjo, Lawrie, Marji, Marsi, Marylon, Mitsy, Myndi, Pammie, Pasty, Patsye, Peggyann, Pegi, Pollyann, Rhandi, Rosielee, Salle, Suellyn, Sundy, Taffie, Tamey, Terree, Terrilee, Timmi, Tonnia
Brothers: Tommy, Jimmy, Johnny, Billy, Danny, Donnie, Jody, Joey, Lonnie, Rickey, Ricky, Ronnie, Timmy, Denny, Dickie, Jacky, Lanny, Lonny, Marty, Mickey, Nickey, Nicky, Richie, Rickie, Ronny, Sammy, Buddie, Hughie, Jerre, Joby, Laddie, Ronney, Timmie, Wally, Billey, Billyjoe, Bubba, Chuckie, Dickey, Dicky, Dondi, Howie, Jackey, Jimmey, Rondy, Ronie, Jakie, Jimie, Joedy, Kippy, Lonney, Mikie, Skippy, Frankey, Jhonnie, Jimmi, Jimy, Jodey, Roddie, Skeeter, Tery
Names like Bobby
Names whose popularity has moved with Bobby's over the last 50 years.
