Bohdan is a masculine given name of Ukrainian origin. It comes from the Old Slavic word "bohy" which means "god". The suffix "-dan" signifies "given by".
The name Bohdan has been traditionally associated with Ukrainian culture and history, as it was borne by several notable figures in Ukrainian history, including Bohdan Khmelnytsky, a Cossack leader who played a significant role in the liberation of Ukraine from Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth rule during the 17th century.
The name Bohdan has also been adopted by other Slavic cultures, and it can be found among Poles, Russians, and Belarusians. It is often considered as an equivalent to the Latin name "Dominus", which means "master" or "lord".
In terms of popularity, Bohdan was a common name in Ukraine during the 20th century but has since declined in usage. However, it remains a popular choice among Ukrainian families and is still occasionally used in other Slavic countries.
Overall, Bohdan is a strong and historic name with a rich cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations.
The name Bohdan has a unique history of usage in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over time as reflected in the birth statistics provided.
In the early to mid-20th century, the name Bohdan was quite rare, with fewer than 10 births recorded per year from 1917 to 1954. However, starting in the late 1950s, there was a notable increase in the number of boys named Bohdan, reaching a peak of 35 births in 1952.
This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with the name Bohdan being given to between 8 to 21 babies per year. There was another notable spike in popularity in the late 1970s, with 24 births recorded in 1979.
The 1980s and 1990s saw a decline in the usage of the name Bohdan, with fewer than 10 births recorded per year. However, since the early 2000s, there has been a resurgence in popularity, with the number of babies named Bohdan increasing steadily each year.
In recent years, the name Bohdan has reached new heights of popularity, with 32 births recorded in 2017 and 28 births in 2016. This represents a significant increase from previous decades, suggesting that the name Bohdan is once again gaining favor among parents in the United States.
In total, since 1917, there have been 872 boys named Bohdan born in the United States. While this number may not compare to more popular names, it nevertheless represents a notable and enduring presence of the name Bohdan in American culture over the past century.