"curved weapon for shooting arrows"
Origin: Old English boga
Language: English
Bow
Pronunciation: [ b-OW ]
Does Bow flow with your last name?
Bent toward beauty, precise as an arrow
English
American
Contemporary
Minimalist
Modern
Unique
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Bow
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"something bent or curved"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Bow
See all →What the Bow report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Bow the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Bow
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Bow head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Bow
Bow comes from Old English boga, meaning something curved or bent, related to the verb bugan meaning to bend or bow. The word covers multiple meanings: the curved weapon for shooting arrows, the rainbow (which historically was called Gods bow), the front of a ship, and the graceful gesture of bending forward. As a given name, Bow shares territory with the similar Beau (French for handsome) and the nickname Bo, giving it a casual, confident single-syllable quality.
Bow as a standalone given name is quite rare, occasionally chosen by parents drawn to ultra-short, evocative names. It is more common as a nickname (derived from Bo or Beauregard) than as a legal name. Celebrity children with similar names have made the short-and-bold aesthetic popular.
In archery culture and outdoor traditions, a bow represents skill, precision, and focus — qualities many parents hope to inspire. In East Asian martial traditions, the bow (both the weapon and the gesture of respect) carries deep cultural weight. The rainbow bow carries spiritual significance in many indigenous and religious traditions.
Historical Record
Bow first appeared in US Social Security records in 1980.
Over 247 babies have been named Bow in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Bow is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #7,500 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word rainbow comes from the Old English regnboga meaning rain bow, combining rain and the arc of a bow
- In the Old Testament, God set a bow in the clouds as a sign of the covenant with Noah after the flood
- The longbow was Englands most powerful weapon during the Hundred Years War, with skilled archers shooting 10-12 arrows per minute
Bow in Other Languages
Arabic
قوس (Qaws)
German
Bogen
Korean
활 (Hwal)
Japanese
弓 (Yumi/Bow)
Old English
Boga
Popularity Over Time
#7,500
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Bow
B
Bow Wow (Shad Moss)
Musician
1987
American rapper and actor who rose to fame as Lil Bow Wow at age 13 with the hit Bounce With Me, mentored by Snoop Dogg
B
Bow (fictional archer) Fictional
Other
Heroic archer character from the She-Ra animated series, representing skill, loyalty, and friendship
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #7,500
- Total SSA Count
- 11
- Cultural Origins
- English American Contemporary
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Bow
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Bow fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Bow is also used as a girl name, ranked #42708.
View Bow as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Bow →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Bow with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Bow
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Bow and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Bow sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Dariun
Boy
Persian origin
"wealthy, possessing good"
#7,592 in US
Sy
Boy
Norman French origin
"from Saint-Maur"
#7,533 in US
Brandy
Boy
Dutch brandewijn origin
"burnt wine, distilled wine"
#7,348 in US
Zale
Boy
Greek zalos origin
"sea strength, power of the sea"
#7,480 in US
Stevan
Boy
Greek origin
"crown, wreath, garland"
#7,481 in US
Jamian
Boy
Hebrew origin
"one who follows"
#7,620 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Bow's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bow
What does the name Bow mean?
"curved weapon for shooting arrows" (from Old English boga). "something bent or curved" (from Old English). Bow comes from Old English boga, meaning something curved or bent, related to the verb bugan meaning to bend or bow. The word covers multiple meanings: the curved weapon for shooting arrows, the rainbow (which historically was called Gods bow), the front of a ship, and the graceful gesture of bending forward. As a given name, Bow shares territory with the similar Beau (French for handsome) and the nickname Bo, giving it a casual, confident single-syllable quality.
What is the origin of the name Bow?
Bow has Old English boga, Old English, English, American, and Contemporary origins. In Old English boga, it means "curved weapon for shooting arrows". In Old English, it means "something bent or curved".
Is Bow a boy or girl name?
Bow is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #7500. As a girl name, it is ranked #42708. Bow is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Bow?
Bow is pronounced b-OW.
How popular is the name Bow?
Bow is currently ranked #7500 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Bow?
Popular middle name pairings include Bow James, Bow River, Bow Arrow, Bow Hunter, Bow Lee, Bow Scout, and Bow Wilder.
What are good sibling names for Bow?
Names that pair well with Bow as siblings include Arrow, Scout, River, Fox, Sage, Colt, and Flint.
How many syllables does Bow have?
Bow has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Bow a common or rare name?
Bow is an uncommon name, ranked #7500 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Bow
Bow is a boy name with English, American, and Contemporary origins . The name means "curved weapon for shooting arrows" in Old English boga .
Is Bow a boy or girl name? Bow is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #7,500 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #42,708. Bow is more commonly used as a boy name.
Bow is currently ranked #7,500 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Bow has 1 syllable and is pronounced b-OW, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Bow include Bowen, Bowie, Bowman, Bowden . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English boga Names
Browse all names with this origin
B
Names Starting with B
More boy names like Bow
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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