Bolivar
A boy's name of Spanish origin with 248 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A city, the county seat of Polk County, Missouri, United States.
Bolivar is a boy's baby name of Spanish origin, from the surname of Simón Bolívar (1783–1830), the Venezuelan military and political leader who liberated much of South America from Spanish colonial rule. The name derives from the Basque bolu ibar meaning 'mill by the river.'
Bolivar is one of Latin America's most heroic names — the Liberator's surname worn as a given name, carrying the freedom of an entire continent's independence movement in a single word.
EtymologyShow more
Bolivar is cataloged under the Spanish naming tradition. Spanish names often flow through Latin and Visigothic roots, shaped by centuries of Catholic tradition and Iberian culture.
In the U.S., Bolivar has been recorded as a boy's name since 1920, with 248 total births. Browse the Spanish names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bolivar has 37+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1920.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 29 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 52 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 58 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 35 | — |
| 1960s | 35 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 23 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5 | — |
| 1920s | 5 | — |
The Story of Bolivar
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1988, Bolivar is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Bolivar are most likely born between 1978 and 1998.
How rare is Bolivar?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Bolivar is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1920, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1980s with 58 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Bolivar by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(37 years, 1920–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | #11002 |
| 2005 | 6 | #10275 |
| 2004 | 8 | #8223 |
| 2002 | 8 | #7724 |
| 2000 | 7 | #8301 |
| 1998 | 6 | #8590 |
| 1997 | 5 | #9425 |
| 1995 | 6 | #7907 |
| 1993 | 10 | #5397 |
| 1992 | 10 | #5276 |
| 1991 | 6 | #7369 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5422 |
| 1989 | 5 | #8033 |
| 1988 | 14 | #3542 |
| 1987 | 11 | #3994 |
| 1986 | 6 | #6012 |
| 1985 | 5 | #6630 |
| 1983 | 7 | #4980 |
| 1981 | 5 | #6384 |
| 1980 | 5 | #6355 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–2023