Boy · 35th of 6,773
Bobby
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
324,511
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1935
Peak Popularity Year
7,971
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Bobby stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Bobby is an English name derived as a diminutive of Robert, which has roots in the Old High German Hrodebert meaning 'bright fame'. The name has evolved through various forms and gained popularity in the 19th century. It is associated with friendly and approachable traits, with no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈbɑːbi/
Origin
English
Etymology
Bobby is often considered a diminutive form of Robert, which comes from the Old High German name Hrodebert, meaning 'bright fame'.
Meaning
bright fame
Language Evolution
Hrodebert (Old High German), Robert (Old French, Middle English), Bobby (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Bobby gained popularity in the 19th century as a diminutive of Robert and has been used as a standalone name since the early 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Rob, Robbie, Bob, Robert
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Bobby is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and familiarity.
Famous People
Bobby Fischer (American chess grandmaster), Bobby Kennedy (American politician), Bobby Brown (American singer)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 7,971 peak births in 1935
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Arkansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 10 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 256th of 7545 | 7,441 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 35th of 6773 | 112,613 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 73rd of 7552 | 102,543 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 91st of 10718 | 51,517 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 168th of 16616 | 28,208 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 450th of 24088 | 9,318 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 851st of 23106 | 3,201 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 938th of 9107 | 1,051 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 503rd of 9204 | 3,551 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 892nd of 12526 | 2,406 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1102nd of 19264 | 1,752 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2488th of 27321 | 741 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 12433rd of 35406 | 111 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16186th of 30306 | 46 |