Bear
How to say it: BAIR · /ˈbɛr/
English word name referring to the large mammal (Old English 'bera'). Evokes strength and wilderness.
Bear was the 783rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 286 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 2.1-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #675 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #783 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 286 |
| Share of births | 1 in 11,592 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×2.1 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #675 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
New to wide use, Bear has risen almost entirely in recent decades. At its high in the 2020s, it is expected to keep rising.
What goes with it
One sharp beat gives Bear a crisp and strong nature feel. Fox would suit a brother.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Bear is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
England and Wales: #361.
Famous people named Bear
- Bear McCreary (born 1979)American composer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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