Boy
Old Norse / Chinese
1 syllable
Bo
BOH
/boʊ/
"Full of life" — a short, spirited name with roots in Norse and Chinese tradition
Bo is a short, energetic name with dual heritage. In Scandinavian languages it derives from the Old Norse meaning to live or to dwell. In Chinese, Bo (波 or 博) means wave or learned. As a standalone name in America, Bo gained a rugged, sporty feel through athletes like Bo Jackson and Bo Derek.
Quick Facts
Letters2
SyllablesBo
GenderBoy
OriginOld Norse / Chinese
Root WordBoe / Bo
MeaningTo live, precious, wave
PopularityModerately Popular
Peak Year1975
Trend
→ Stable
Name DayN/A
Nicknames
B
About the Name Bo
Bo means to live in Old Norse. In Chinese, Bo means wave, precious, or learned depending on the character used.
Bo has roots in both Old Norse Scandinavian tradition and Chinese naming culture, making it a genuinely multicultural name.
Bo is steadily popular in the US, appearing in top 500 lists and trending as a short, punchy modern name.
Bo James, Bo Hunter, and Bo River are spirited combinations that let the short first name breathe.
Bo suggests natural athleticism, easy confidence, and a free-spirited personality that thrives on adventure.
The standard spelling is Bo. The French-influenced spelling Beau is a separate name meaning handsome.
Personality of Bo
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Bo
Creativity
72%
Elegance
56%
Independence
88%
Intelligence
70%
Strength
84%
Warmth
86%
Famous People Named Bo
B
Bo Jackson
American athlete who played professional baseball and NFL football simultaneously
B
Bo Derek
American actress famous for her role in the film 10
B
Bo Diddley
Pioneering American rock and roll guitarist and singer
Middle Names for Bo
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Bo
Bo James
Bo Hunter
Bo River
Bo Wilder
Bo Reed
Bo Rhett
Bo Flynn
Bo Dean
Bo Ray
Bo Cole
Names Similar to Bo
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Bo
800
Boe and Bo used as given names in Scandinavia meaning resident or dweller
1962
Bo Diddley's influence makes the name cool in American music culture
1987
Bo Jackson becomes the first athlete named an All-Star in two major US sports
2015
Bo re-emerges as a fashionable short name for boys and girls in the US
Numerology & Symbolism of Bo
8
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
6
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Sagittarius
9
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Orange
💎
Lucky Stone
Amber
🌸
Lucky Flower
Wild Rose
Bo Around the World
How Bo is written in different languages and scripts
بو
Arabic
ボー
Japanese
Бо
Russian
보
Korean
博
Chinese
Μπο
Greek
बो
Hindi
בו
Hebrew
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