"blonde, yellow-haired"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Bowie
Pronunciation: [ b-OH-ee ]
Does Bowie flow with your last name?
A bold Scottish name carrying rock legend's legacy
Scottish
American
Australian
English
Bold
Modern
Unique
Vintage
Artistic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Bowie
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Bowie
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"fair one"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: Scottish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Bowie
See all →What the Bowie report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Bowie 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 Bowie
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Bowie head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Bowie actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with musician David Bowie (died 2016); parents should consider this primary association
The Story of Bowie
Bowie is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word 'buidhe,' meaning 'yellow' or 'blonde,' originally used as a nickname for someone with fair or golden hair. It became a prominent surname in Scotland and Ireland. As a given name, Bowie gained significant cultural currency after the rise of David Bowie as a global pop icon in the 1970s.
After David Bowie's death in January 2016, there was a notable spike in parents naming their children Bowie — particularly girls — as a tribute to the iconic rock star. The name has continued trending upward as parents seek musical and artistic surname names.
In Scotland, Bowie is a traditional clan surname. In global pop culture, David Bowie transformed the name into a symbol of artistic reinvention, androgyny, and creative brilliance. Jim Bowie, the American frontiersman and Alamo defender, adds a historical American Western dimension.
Historical Record
Bowie first appeared in US Social Security records in 2006.
Over 1,168 babies have been named Bowie in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Bowie is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,007 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- David Bowie's son Zowie Bowie (now Duncan Jones) is a filmmaker
- The Bowie knife is named after Jim Bowie, who popularized its use in the early 19th century
- Baby Bowies spiked 34% in the month after David Bowie's death in 2016
Bowie in Other Languages
Irish
Buidhe
French
Bowie
Japanese
ボウイ
Scottish Gaelic
Buie
Popularity Over Time
#2,007
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Bowie
D
David Bowie
Musician
1947
Legendary British rock musician, singer, and cultural icon known for personas like Ziggy Stardust; one of the best-selli...
Legendary British rock musician, singer, and cultural icon known for personas like Ziggy Stardust; one of the best-selling music artists of all time
J
Jim Bowie
Military
1796
American frontiersman and soldier famous for his role in the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 and the iconic Bowie knife
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Sherlyn
Girl
"dear, beloved"
#1,977
Evana
Girl
"feminine form of Evan/John"
#1,929
Shayla
Girl
"fairy palace, fairy mound"
#1,809
Leonora
Girl
"other, foreign honor"
#2,082
Caliana
Girl
"beautiful flower"
#2,061
Compare Bowie with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,007
- Total SSA Count
- 98
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish American Australian English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Bo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Bowie
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Bowie fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Bowie is also used as a boy name, ranked #1211.
View Bowie as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Bowie →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 Bowie with...
Same Origin Names (Scottish)
See all Scottish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Bowie
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Bowie and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Bowie 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 →
Sherlyn
Girl
French via English origin
"dear, beloved"
#1,977 in US
Evana
Girl
Welsh origin
"feminine form of Evan/John"
#1,929 in US
Shayla
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"fairy palace, fairy mound"
#1,809 in US
Leonora
Girl
Germanic origin
"other, foreign honor"
#2,082 in US
Caliana
Girl
Greek/Spanish origin
"beautiful flower"
#2,061 in US
Nicolette
Girl
Greek (Nikolaos) origin
"victory of the people"
#2,012 in US
Toby
Girl
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh is good"
#2,005 in US
Finnley
Girl
Scottish Gaelic Fionnlagh origin
"fair warrior, white hero"
#1,989 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Bowie's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bowie
What does the name Bowie mean?
"blonde, yellow-haired" (from Scottish Gaelic). "fair one" (from Scottish Gaelic). Bowie is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word 'buidhe,' meaning 'yellow' or 'blonde,' originally used as a nickname for someone with fair or golden hair. It became a prominent surname in Scotland and Ireland. As a given name, Bowie gained significant cultural currency after the rise of David Bowie as a global pop icon in the 1970s.
What is the origin of the name Bowie?
Bowie has Scottish Gaelic, Scottish, American, Australian, and English origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "blonde, yellow-haired". In Scottish Gaelic, it means "fair one".
Is Bowie a boy or girl name?
Bowie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2007. As a boy name, it is ranked #1211. Bowie is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Bowie?
Bowie is pronounced b-OH-ee.
How popular is the name Bowie?
Bowie is currently ranked #2007 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Bowie?
Popular middle name pairings include Bowie Jane, Bowie Lux, Bowie Leigh, Bowie Rae, Bowie Star, Bowie Rose, and Bowie Lou.
What are good sibling names for Bowie?
Names that pair well with Bowie as siblings include Hendrix, Lennon, Jagger, Ziggy, Starling, Quinn, and Rebel.
How many syllables does Bowie have?
Bowie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Bowie a common or rare name?
Bowie is an uncommon name, ranked #2007 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Bowie
Bowie is a girl name with Scottish, American, Australian, and English origins . The name means "blonde, yellow-haired" in Scottish Gaelic .
Is Bowie a boy or girl name? Bowie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,007 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,211. Bowie is more commonly used as a boy name.
Bowie is currently ranked #2,007 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Bowie has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-OH-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Bowie include Bo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Scottish Gaelic Names
Browse all names with this origin
B
Names Starting with B
More girl names like Bowie
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl 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