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Bo

Girl / Boy name · 20 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Bo: 20 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 5 births in 2010.

Bo is a name with a crisp, modern feel that draws from several roots. In Old Norse it meant "to dwell" or "live," while it also arose as a short form of Beau, the French word for "handsome." The name gained international fame through musicians such as Bo Diddley and two-sport athlete Bo Jackson. Though no major place is named directly for a bearer, the related Scandinavian place name Bø appears in Norway and Denmark, sharing the same Old Norse root. A further note: Bo is perhaps best known in popular culture as Bo Peep from the nursery rhyme, giving it a playful, pastoral charm that balances its strong, monosyllabic sound.

Girl 2 of 52 years

Peak year
20053 babies
Latest (2020)
#7653 babies
Total births
6since 2005
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2005 · 3
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).

Boy 4 of 52 years

Peak year
20105 babies
Latest (2019)
#7013 babies
Total births
14since 2010
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2010 · 5
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).