boys' name · peaked 1935

Bobby

A diminutive of the male given name Robert.

Every Bobby since 1900 — 324,728 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
2.557.51018801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#1,097
among boys
Babies in 2025
207
named Bobby
Peak year
1935
7,971 babies
All-time total
324,728
since 1900

The story of Bobby

Bobby is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,097 in 2025 with 195 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1900, 324,728 American babies have been named Bobby. Its peak came in 1935, when 7,971 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.

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 Bobby stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Bobby 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 12 #8,448 195 #1,097
2024 9 #10,411 192 #1,114
2023 169 #1,192
2022 10 #9,806 214 #1,033
2021 7 #12,429 216 #1,016
2020 268 #850
2019 8 #11,542 250 #880
2018 7 #12,706 272 #823
2017 5 #16,290 298 #786
2016 322 #754
2015 328 #740
2014 313 #754
2013 363 #665
2012 6 #15,275 331 #714
2011 346 #683
2010 5 #17,455 458 #552
2009 5 #17,746 458 #576
2008 6 #15,717 515 #524
2007 523 #503
2006 6 #15,439 546 #483
2005 505 #490
2004 8 #11,778 573 #452
2003 8 #11,478 559 #451
2002 6 #13,860 644 #399
2001 8 #11,164 655 #389
2000 12 #8,105 730 #364
1995 20 #4,864 1,046 #269
1990 29 #3,629 1,677 #185
1985 50 #2,105 2,094 #135
1980 108 #1,218 2,724 #109
1975 104 #1,119 2,772 #93
1970 147 #894 3,636 #87
1965 87 #1,135 4,588 #80
1960 102 #1,064 5,656 #73
1955 115 #916 5,223 #75
1950 129 #762 5,019 #65
1945 129 #642 5,052 #53
1940 149 #568 6,882 #30
1935 245 #416 7,726 #24
1930 262 #405 5,181 #41
1925 111 #698 1,085 #150
1920 53 #1,021 170 #468
1915 24 #1,483 42 #965
1910 16 #1,116 8 #1,209
1905 11 #746
1900 5 #1,965 7 #1,061
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Bobby

  1. Bobby Fischer Chess player · 1943–2008
  2. Bobby Charlton Soccer player · b. 1937
  3. Bobby Robson Soccer player · 1933–2009
  4. Bobby Moore Soccer player · 1941–1993
  5. Bobby Morrow Athlete · 1935–2020

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Bobby mean?

A diminutive of the male given name Robert.

How popular is the name Bobby in 2025?

Bobby ranked #1,097 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 195 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Bobby?

324,728 babies have been named Bobby in the United States since 1900, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Bobby most popular?

Bobby peaked in 1935, when 7,971 newborns received the name.

Is Bobby a boy or girl name?

Bobby is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 97% of babies with the name.

Is the name Bobby rising or falling?

Bobby is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Bobby?

Well-known people named Bobby include Bobby Fischer (chess player), Bobby Charlton (soccer player), Bobby Robson (soccer player).

Names like Bobby

Compare Bobby with similar names →