Bobby is a name of English origin, derived from the given name Robert. It is a diminutive form of Robert, which means "bright" or "famous" in Old German. The name has been used throughout history and has been popularized by various notable figures.
The name Bobby first gained prominence during the Middle Ages when it was commonly used as a nickname for those with the given name Robert. It was often used to indicate familiarity or fondness towards someone named Robert.
Bobby also has ties to American culture, particularly through its association with baseball legend Babe Ruth, whose real name was George Herman Ruth Jr., but who was famously known by his nickname "Babe" and his family nickname of "Bobby." The use of Bobby as a given name became more popular in the United States during the early 20th century due to Babe Ruth's fame.
Today, Bobby is still used as both a nickname for Robert and as a given name in its own right. It remains a popular choice among parents looking for a classic yet friendly-sounding name for their sons.
"Over the span of 123 years (1900-2022), there were a total of 9654 births named Bobby. The popularity peaked in the late 1920s to early 1930s with over 260 births per year, and started declining from the mid-1930s onwards, reaching single digits by the mid-2000s."