Bobby
How to say it: BOB-ee · /ˈbɑbi/
Diminutive of Robert, from Germanic 'hrод' (fame) + 'beraht' (bright), meaning 'bright fame'.
Bobby was the 988th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 195 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1930s, its births are down about 40% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,157 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #988 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 195 |
| Share of births | 1 in 17,001 |
| Peak decade | 1930s |
| Change over 10 years | −40% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,157 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Bobby reached its height in the 1930s and has been fading ever since. Now far below that peak, it is expected to slip further.
What goes with it
Crisp consonants give its two syllables a bouncy energy. Billy shares its style.
Nicknames
- Bob
Honouring a Bobby in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Bobby is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Dutch, English, German.
England and Wales: #94. Ireland: #30.
Famous people named Bobby
- Bobby Charlton (1937–2023)English association football player and manager
- Bobby Cannavale (born 1970)American actor
- Bobby Jindal (born 1971)American politician and 55th governor of Louisiana
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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