Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Bobby
BoyEnglish, Germanic· “short for Robert, bright fame”
- Meaning
- short for Robert, bright fame
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- BOB-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,097
- US babies 2025
- 195
- Best rank
- #23 (1934)
- Peak year
- 1937
Meaning and origin of Bobby
Bobby is an English and Germanic name that means “short for Robert, bright fame”.
Bobby is a familiar short form of Robert, which comes from the Germanic Hrodebert, combining hrod, "fame," and beraht, "bright." Robert was a royal name in Scotland and France, and Bobby developed as its warm everyday version in English. It was very common as a given name in the United States in the mid twentieth century, carried by figures such as Robert F. Kennedy, often called Bobby. The name has a friendly, energetic, boy-next-door feel. Many parents now give Robert on the birth certificate and use Bobby day to day.
Other spellings with the same sound: Bobbie, Bobbi.
Popularity over time
Bobby first appears in US Social Security records in 1900. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 110 different years, starting in 1904. Its best national rank was #23 in 1934, and the most babies received it in 1937, when 7,745 were named Bobby. In 2025, 195 babies were named Bobby, and it ranked #1,097 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #468 in 1920, #65 in 1950, #109 in 1980, #364 in 2000, #552 in 2010, and #1,097 in 2025. Of the 315,053 US boys named Bobby since records began, 22% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 58,890 babies. Since 2010, 4,535 more have been named Bobby.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Joe and Gene.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bobby ranked highest in Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | #508 | 8 |
| South Carolina | #557 | 8 |
| Kentucky | #573 | 7 |
| Georgia | #678 | 14 |
| Ohio | #759 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Bobby over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Bobby is usually pronounced BOB-ee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-by”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Bobbie and Bobbi.
Middle names for Bobby
A few middle names that flow with Bobby: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bobby
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Lists that include Bobby
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bobby mean?
Bobby is an English and Germanic name that means “short for Robert, bright fame”.
What is the origin of the name Bobby?
Bobby has English and Germanic roots. Bobby is a familiar short form of Robert, which comes from the Germanic Hrodebert, combining hrod, "fame," and beraht, "bright." Robert was a royal name in Scotland and France, and Bobby developed as its warm everyday version in English.
Is Bobby a popular name?
Not especially. Bobby ranked #1,097 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Bobby a boy or girl name?
Bobby is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Bobby over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Bobby?
Bobby is usually pronounced BOB-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings