Bob is a short form of the name Robert, which is of Germanic origin and means "bright fame" or "fame". It has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, but it became particularly popular in English-speaking countries during the Victorian era. Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name Bob, including Bob Dylan, the American singer-songwriter, and Bob Marley, the Jamaican reggae musician. Today, Bob remains a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and timeless name for their son.
The name Bob has a rich history and popularity that spans over a century in the United States. The statistics below illustrate the fluctuating trends of this timeless name.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bob was a moderately popular name for newborn boys. Between 1880 and 1923, the number of births with the name Bob ranged from as low as 46 in 1880 to as high as 916 in 1923. During this period, the name's popularity grew steadily, peaking in 1915 with 296 births and again in 1917 with 352 births.
The mid-20th century marked a significant turning point for the name Bob. Between 1946 and 1965, the number of newborn boys named Bob skyrocketed from 1,960 to 10,20 births. This was the most popular period for the name, with its peak occurring in 1958 with 2,828 births.
However, starting in the late 1960s, the popularity of the name Bob began to decline rapidly. By 1973, the number of newborn boys named Bob had dropped to 208, and it continued to fall throughout the remainder of the century. In the 21st century, the name Bob has become quite rare, with fewer than 50 births recorded each year between 2000 and 2023.
Despite its decline in recent years, the name Bob remains a classic choice with a long history. Its fluctuating popularity over the past century serves as a testament to its enduring appeal and versatility.