"protect, guard"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Mandarin Chinese
Bao
Pronunciation: [ b-OW ]
Does Bao flow with your last name?
A precious Chinese name meaning treasure
Chinese
Vietnamese
East Asian
Minimalist
Traditional
Elegant
Spiritual
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Bao
Bao is a classical Chinese name meaning precious, treasure, or jewel. The character combines the roof radical with other elements to suggest something of great value kept within a home. Used for both boys and girls across Chinese history, Bao conveys the profound love parents feel for their children, treating them as the most precious thing in their lives.
Bao has been used in China for centuries as both a standalone name and as part of longer compound names. In recent years, it gained recognition in the West partly due to Pixar's Oscar-winning short film Bao (2018), which told a touching story about a Chinese-Canadian mother.
In Chinese culture, names meaning treasure or precious are among the most loving names a parent can give. The character bao appears in countless expressions of affection in Chinese language and is central to the concept of baobao, the term for baby or darling child.
Historical Record
Bao first appeared in US Social Security records in 1976.
Over 840 babies have been named Bao in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Bao is past its peak , currently ranked #6,554 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Pixar short film Bao won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2019
- Bao Zheng (999-1062), known as Justice Bao, is a legendary Chinese judge celebrated for his fairness
- Baobao is the Chinese term of endearment meaning precious baby
Bao in Other Languages
Korean
보
Japanese
宝
Vietnamese
Bảo
Chinese Simplified
宝
Chinese Traditional
寶
Popularity Over Time
#6,554
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1986
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Bao
B
Bao Xishun
Other
1951
Former Guinness World Record holder for the tallest living man, from Inner Mongolia, China
B
Bao Zheng
Politician
999
Song Dynasty Chinese official famous for his just and incorruptible governance, known as Justice Bao or Judge Bao
B
Bao the Dumpling Fictional
Other
The adorable sentient dumpling protagonist in Pixar's Oscar-winning short film Bao (2018)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #6,554
- Total SSA Count
- 13
- Cultural Origins
- Chinese Vietnamese East Asian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Chinese heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Bao
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Bao is also used as a girl name, ranked #16355.
View Bao as a girl name →Similar Names
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Compare Bao with...
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Save Your Name Card
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bao
What does the name Bao mean?
"protect, guard" (from Chinese). Bao is a classical Chinese name meaning precious, treasure, or jewel. The character combines the roof radical with other elements to suggest something of great value kept within a home. Used for both boys and girls across Chinese history, Bao conveys the profound love parents feel for their children, treating them as the most precious thing in their lives.
What is the origin of the name Bao?
Bao has Chinese, Vietnamese, and East Asian origins. In Chinese, it means "protect, guard".
Is Bao a boy or girl name?
Bao is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6554. As a girl name, it is ranked #16355. Bao is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Bao?
Bao is pronounced b-OW.
How popular is the name Bao?
Bao is currently ranked #6554 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Bao?
Popular middle name pairings include Bao Wei, Bao Ming, Bao Jing, Bao Long, Bao Tian, Bao Yu, and Bao Han.
What are good sibling names for Bao?
Names that pair well with Bao as siblings include Mei, Lin, Kai, Zhen, Hua, Jun, and Xiao.
How many syllables does Bao have?
Bao has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Bao a common or rare name?
Bao is an uncommon name, ranked #6554 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Bao
Bao is a boy name with Chinese, Vietnamese, and East Asian origins . The name means "protect, guard" in Chinese .
Is Bao a boy or girl name? Bao is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,554 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #16,355. Bao is more commonly used as a boy name.
Bao is currently ranked #6,554 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Bao has 1 syllable and is pronounced b-OW, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis