Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Bobby

Bobby is a diminutive of Bob which developed as a short form for the masculine name Robert. Robert comes from the old Germanic name Hrodberht, derived from the near-synonymous elements “hrod” meaning “fame or glory” and “berht” meaning “bright, shining”. The French Normans introduced this name to Britain in the 11th century (after the Norman Conquest of England), where it replaced the Olde English cognate Hreodbeorht. Robert has remained a very common English name since the Middle Ages. The name was borne by two early kings of France, two Dukes of Normandy, and three kings of Scotland, including Robert the Bruce who restored the independence of Scotland from England in the 14th century. Robert has been a perennial favorite among English-speaking nations. Like William, Richard, John, Thomas, Edward, George, Henry and James – Robert is a male name that has been in continual use for centuries. The name has also given birth to several variations and pet forms including Rob, Robbie, Robin, Rupert, Bo, Bert, Bob and Bobby. Bobby is used an independently given name now; no longer just a nickname for Robert. In fact, Bobby as a stand-alone name is pretty high ranking for baby boys currently being born in Ireland and England.

All About the Baby Name – Bobby

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME BOBBY

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME BOBBY

Bobby first shows up as an independently given name in America in 1904 although it took about ten years for it to actually stick to the charts. Then, remarkably, Bobby very quickly increased in usage; the name became a Top 100 favorite in 1927. Not only did Bobby remain on the Top 100 list of most commonly used boy’s names for 50 straight years, but his height of popularity was reached in the 1930s and early 40s when it was a Top 30. As a casual nickname, we were surprised to see this successful history of usage. Bobby fell off the Top 100 list in 1977 and he’s been declining in popularity ever since. Nicknames like Alex, Sam and Max have now replaced the mid-century Bobby, Larry and Ronny type male names derived from short forms. Bobby is also a little androgynous since it has a history of being used for girls (often spelled Bobbie or Bobbi). Bobby is not as masculine sounding as Robert, Rob or Bob, but it is a cute, sweet name. It’s just perhaps a little too colloquial and makes us think of Bobby Brady from “The Brady Bunch” or Bobby Hill from “King of the Hill.” However, we will say this: Bobby is a great choice for hockey-loving parents out there (think: Bobby Hull and Bobby Orr).

Quick Facts

ON BOBBY

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

669

PRONUNCIATION:

BAH-bee

SIMPLE MEANING:

Famed, bright, shining, glory

Characteristics

OF BOBBY

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Bobby

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME BOBBY

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Bobby

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME BOBBY

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Bobby


Popular Songs

ON BOBBY

Wrong About Bobby
a song by the Eels

Viva Bobby Joe
a song by The Equals

To Bobby
a song by Joan Baez

Some Bobby
a song by Bobby V.

Run Bobby Run
a song by Lesley Gore

Me and Bobby McGee
a song by Kris Kristofferson

Me And Bobby McGee
a song by Janis Joplin

Me And Bobby and Bobby's Brother
a song by ABBA

Little Bobby
a song by Dynamite Boy

Go Bobby Soxer
a song by Chuck Berry

Bobby Sox to Stockings
a song by Frankie Avalon

Bobby Jean
a song by Bruce Springsteen

Bobby Brown
a song by Frank Zappa

Bobby
a song by Reba McEntire

Bobby's Girl
a song by Tracey Ullman

Bobby's Song
a song by The Roches

Do The Ricky Bobby
a song by B-Hamp

Famous People

NAMED BOBBY

Bobby Abreu (baseball player)
Bobby Bauer (hockey player)
Bobby Bell (football player)
Bobby Brown (musician)
Bobby Clarke (hockey player)
Bobby Darin (singer)
Bobby Doerr (baseball player)
Bobby Fischer (chess champion)
Bobby Hull (hockey player)
Bobby Kennedy (former Attorney General and Presidential hopeful)
Bobby Labonte (racecar driver)
Bobby Layne (football player)
Bobby Locke (golfer)
Bobby Mitchell (football player)
Bobby Orr (hockey player)
Bobby Unser (racecar driver)
Bobby Wallace (baseball player)
Bobby Wanzer (basketball player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED BOBBY

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Bobby

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME BOBBY

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Bobby