The nameBobby
Bobby is a pet form of Robert. Very common in the United States in the mid 20th century, it is back in fashion in England and Wales.
- Boy's name
- English
Meaning
Bobby comes from Robert, from the Germanic hrod, "fame", and berht, "bright". In Britain a "bobby" is a policeman, after Sir Robert Peel.
Origin
English, from a diminutive.
History
Bobby was in the American top 100 from 1927 to 1976 and reached 23rd place in 1934. In England and Wales it reached 57th place in 2012.
Did you know?
- Bobby Fischer became world chess champion in 1972 in Reykjavik, beating the Soviet Boris Spassky.
Famous people named Bobby
- Bobby Moore, England's 1966 World Cup captain
- Bobby Charlton, footballer
- Bobby Kennedy, politician
- Bobby Fischer, chess champion
Popularity of the name Bobby
Bobby in the United States
Bobby was most popular in the United States in the 1930s, with 71,660 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Bobby. Its rise began around 1924, and it peaked in 1935. Half of all babies named Bobby in the United States were born before 1952, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 216 births a year on average, against 298 in the five years before.
Bobby in the United Kingdom
Bobby was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 9,993 births over the decade, 53% of all recorded babies named Bobby. Half of all babies named Bobby in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 702 births a year on average, against 929 in the five years before.
Bobby in Ireland
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Bobby
Names from the same generation as Bobby, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Bobby? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Bobby with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Bobby side by side with the name of your choice.
Bobby in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bobby mean?
Bobby comes from Robert, from the Germanic hrod, "fame", and berht, "bright". In Britain a "bobby" is a policeman, after Sir Robert Peel.
What is the origin of the name Bobby?
English, from a diminutive.
Is Bobby a girl's or a boy's name?
Bobby is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Bobby?
In 2024, Bobby was the 1124th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 189 births.
What are the variants of the name Bobby?
Variants and related names of Bobby include Robert.
What are good sibling names for Bobby?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Melinda, Darlene, Sharon and Sonia for a sister, Gary, Cedric, Tommy and Gerald for a brother.
Who are famous people named Bobby?
Bobby Moore, England's 1966 World Cup captain; Bobby Charlton, footballer; Bobby Kennedy, politician; Bobby Fischer, chess champion.