Bao
Every Bao since 1976 — 1,430 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bao
Bao is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,740 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1976, 1,430 American babies have been named Bao — about 59% boys and 41% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1990, when 72 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Bao stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bao year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 10 | #7,740 |
| 2024 | — | — | 13 | #6,510 |
| 2023 | — | — | 10 | #7,803 |
| 2022 | — | — | 5 | #12,580 |
| 2021 | — | — | 11 | #7,145 |
| 2020 | — | — | 6 | #10,758 |
| 2019 | — | — | 12 | #6,823 |
| 2018 | — | — | 10 | #7,684 |
| 2017 | — | — | 11 | #7,154 |
| 2016 | — | — | 18 | #5,152 |
| 2015 | — | — | 22 | #4,417 |
| 2014 | — | — | 15 | #5,765 |
| 2013 | — | — | 18 | #4,999 |
| 2012 | — | — | 16 | #5,505 |
| 2011 | — | — | 21 | #4,522 |
| 2010 | — | — | 15 | #5,764 |
| 2009 | — | — | 20 | #4,766 |
| 2008 | — | — | 12 | #6,801 |
| 2007 | — | — | 14 | #5,940 |
| 2006 | — | — | 8 | #8,812 |
| 2005 | — | — | 11 | #6,692 |
| 2004 | — | — | 15 | #5,272 |
| 2003 | — | — | 17 | #4,630 |
| 2002 | 8 | #11,281 | 11 | #6,131 |
| 2001 | 7 | #12,250 | 15 | #4,914 |
| 2000 | 7 | #11,955 | 17 | #4,411 |
| 1995 | 25 | #4,111 | 27 | #2,689 |
| 1990 | 46 | #2,575 | 26 | #2,557 |
| 1985 | 31 | #2,945 | 26 | #2,119 |
| 1980 | 18 | #4,160 | 17 | #2,736 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Bao
- Bao Zheng Politician · 999–1062
- Bao Xishun Religious figure · b. 1951
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Bao in 2025?
Bao ranked #7,740 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bao?
1,430 babies have been named Bao in the United States since 1976, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bao most popular?
Bao peaked in 1990, when 72 newborns received the name.
Is Bao a boy or girl name?
Bao is used for both: about 41% of babies named Bao have been girls and 59% boys.
Is the name Bao rising or falling?
Bao is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Bao?
Well-known people named Bao include Bao Zheng (politician), Bao Xishun (religious figure).