How to Pronounce Bob
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Bob name meaning
First Name
93k
in the U.S.
since 1880
93k
in the U.S.
since 1880
Last Name
1k
in the U.S.
in 2010
1k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Bob mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Bob
User Submitted Origins
English
67%
Slang
22%
African
9%
Indian (Sanskrit)
3%
User Submitted Meanings
- A user from the United Kingdom says the name Bob means "Adventurous and kind hearted".
- According to a user from New Mexico, U.S., the name Bob means "''Nice and kind'' or ''adventurous and kind''".
- 9 submissions from the United States and Australia agree the name Bob means "The Builder" and is of English origin.
- A submission from Norway says the name Bob means "Adventurous and kind" and is of Norwegian origin.
- A user from the United Kingdom says the name Bob means "Nice and kind".
- 2 submissions from the United States and the United Kingdom agree the name Bob means "STRONG AT HEART" and is of English origin.
- A user from Minnesota, U.S. says the name Bob is of African origin and means "Take an adventure".
- According to 2 people from the United Kingdom and the United States, the name Bob is of Anglo-Saxon / English origin and means "Helpful".
- A user from Australia says the name Bob means "Shining".
- According to a user from Virginia, U.S., the name Bob is of German origin and means "Famed, bright, shining".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Bob
Senses
- Anything that hangs so as to play loosely, or with a short abrupt motion, as at the end of a string; a pendant; as, the bob at the end of a kite's tail."In jewels dressed and at each ear a bob." [Dryden.]
- A knot of worms, or of rags, on a string, used in angling, as for eels; formerly, a worm suitable for bait."Or yellow bobs, turned up before the plow, Are chiefest baits, with cork and lead enow." [Lauson.]
- A small piece of cork or light wood attached to a fishing line to show when a fish is biting; a float.
- The ball or heavy part of a pendulum; also, the ball or weight at the end of a plumb line.
- A small wheel, made of leather, with rounded edges, used in polishing spoons, etc.
- A short, jerking motion; act of bobbing; as, a bob of the head.
- [Steam Engine] A working beam.
- A knot or short curl of hair; also, a bob wig."A plain brown bob he wore." [Shenstone.]
- A peculiar mode of ringing changes on bells.
- The refrain of a song."To bed, to bed, will be the bob of the song." [L'Estrange.]
- A blow; a shake or jog; a rap, as with the fist.
- A jeer or flout; a sharp jest or taunt; a trick."He that a fool doth very wisely hit, Doth very foolishly, although he smart, Not to seem senseless of the bob." [Shak.]
- A shilling.(Slang, Eng)
Etymology: An onomatopoetic word, expressing quick, jerky motion; OE. bob bunch, bobben to strike, mock, deceive. Cf. Prov. Eng. bob, n., a ball, an engine beam, bunch, blast, trick, taunt, scoff; as, a v., to dance, to courtesy, to disappoint, OF. bober to mock
verb Bob
Senses
- To cause to move in a short, jerking manner; to move (a thing) with a bob."He bobbedhis head." [W. Irving.]
- To strike with a quick, light blow; to tap."If any man happened by long sitting to sleep . . . he was suddenly bobbed on the face by the servants." [Elyot.]
- To cheat; to gain by fraud or cheating; to filch."Gold and jewels that I bobbed from him." [Shak.]
- To mock or delude; to cheat."To play her pranks, and bob the fool, The shrewish wife began." [Turbervile.]
- To cut short; as, to bob the hair, or a horse's tail.
Etymology: OE. bobben. See Bob (n.)
verb Bob
Senses
- To have a short, jerking motion; to play to and fro, or up and down; to play loosely against anything." Bobbingand courtesying." [Thackeray.]
- To angle with a bob. See Bob (n.), 2 & 3."He ne'er had learned the art to bob For anything but eels." [Saxe.]
Other Dictionary Sources
- A short abrupt inclination (as of the head) ("he gave me a short bob of acknowledgement")
- A short or shortened tail of certain animals
- A small float usually made of cork; attached to a fishing line
- A hanging weight, especially a metal ball on a string
- A long racing sled (for 2 or more people) with a steering mechanism
- A hair style for women and children; a short haircut all around
- A former monetary unit in Great Britain
- Cut hair in the style of a bob ("Bernice bobs her hair these days!")
- Make a curtsy; usually done only by girls and women; as a sign of respect
- Remove or shorten the tail of an animal
- Move up and down repeatedly ("her rucksack bobbed gently on her back")
- Ride a bobsled ("The boys bobbed down the hill screaming with pleasure")
Wiktionary
Probably from a medieval hypocorism of Rob.
- A diminutive of the male given name Robert.
- A generic male person.
- (cryptography, physics) A placeholder name for the person or system receiving a message or signal from a source conventionally known as Alice.
Bob was also found in the following language(s): Dutch and Portuguese
Notable Persons Named Bob
Notable Persons Named Bob
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is a singer-songwriter, artist, and writer. He holds the title Blowin' in the Wind", The Times They Are a-Changin'", Like a Rolling Stone", Lay Lady Lay", Tangled Up in Blue", Gotta Serve Somebody", Things Have Changed", and The Times they are a Changin'". His ongoing career started in 1959. Bob was given the name Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24th, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota, United States.
Bob Marley
Bob was given the name Robert Nesta Marley by his parent Cedella Booker on February 6th, 1945 in Nine Mile, Jamaica. Bob is also known as Marley and Robert Nesta. He left this life on May 11th, 1981.
Bob Ross
Bob Ross was an artist in the fields of painter, art instructor, television host, and visual arts education. Bob was given the name Robert Norman Ross on October 29th, 1942 in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. He breathed his last breath on July 4th, 1995.
Bob Denard
Bob Denard is a military person.
Bob Hope
Bob Hope was an actor, comedian, singer, author, athlete, stand-up comedy, and singing. His ongoing career started in 1919. Bob was given the name Leslie Townes Hope on May 29th, 1903 in Eltham. Bob is also known as Packy East. He died on July 27th, 2003.
Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk is an actor, comedian, director, producer, and writer. His ongoing career started in 1987. Bob was given the name Robert John Odenkirk on October 22nd, 1962 in Berwyn, Illinois, United States.
- Bob NewhartComedian
- Bob SegerMusician
- Bob DoleOffice Holder
- Bob DenverActor
- Bob IgerEntertainment Executive
- Bob SagetComedian
- Bob GeldofMusician
- Bob HoskinsActor
- Bob BarkerTelevision Personality
- Bob SappFootball Player
- Bob CraneActor
- Bob KnightCollege Coach
- Bob WoodwardJournalist
- Bob McDonnell44th Attorney General of Virginia
Notable Persons With the Last Name Bob
Notable Persons With the Last Name Bob
Jay and Silent Bob
Jay and Silent Bob is a fictional character. Jay is also known as Bluntman and Chronic.
Killer Bob
Killer Bob is a fictional character.
Douwe Bob
Douwe Bob is a country folk, folk music, and indie folk musician. He plays Piano and Guitar. He has had major accomplishments since 2012. Douwe was born on December 12th, 1992 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Barbecue Bob
Barbecue Bob was a piedmont blues and country blues musician. He plays Twelve-string guitar. His most notable accomplishments were from 1920 to 1931. Barbecue was given the name Robert Hicks on September 11th, 1902 in Walnut Grove, Georgia, United States. Barbecue is also known as Barbecue Bob. He left this life on October 21st, 1931.
Madhan Bob
Madhan Bob is a film actor, comedian, and actor. He has had major accomplishments since 1992. Madhan was given the name S. Krishnamoorthy in 19 in Chennai.
Jim Bob
Jim Bob is a punk rock and acoustic music musician. He was most active from 1985 to 1985. Jim was born on November 22nd, 1960.
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Bob | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 31.87% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 43.27% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 4.18% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 13.60% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 3.47% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 3.61% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Bob
People with the last name Bob are most frequently White, African American, or American Indian and Alaska Native
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Bob
| #84 | Old-Fashioned Boy Names |
| #9 | Boy Names Unique to the Plains |