How to say it
BO
/boʊ/
Masculine
Bo
To live; dweller
What it means
A Scandinavian name from the Old Norse for 'to live' or 'dweller,' also a breezy nickname.
Bo is a short, sunny name from the Old Norse bua, 'to live' or 'to dwell.' Long a Scandinavian staple, it also works in America as a standalone or a nickname, with a laid-back, Southern-tinged charm. Bo Jackson made it familiar on the field. About as easy as a name gets, one open syllable.
Popularity over time
peaked at #449 in 2025, currently #449 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Shares its sound with the French Beau.
- Pop culture
Two-sport athlete Bo Jackson.
Spelling variants
- Beau
- Boe
- Bow