Bub

A boy's name of German origin with 54 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

A surname from German.

Bub is a boy's baby name of German origin, derived from the German word for 'boy' or 'lad.' In German-speaking countries, Bub is an affectionate everyday term for a young boy, carrying a warm, familiar feeling.

In the U.S., Bub has occasionally crossed into given-name territory as an affectionate, informal choice. Short and punchy, it has the easy energy of names like Beau or Bo — simple, friendly, and impossible to mispronounce.

EtymologyShow more

Bub first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1900. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.

Its German classification suggests a path from german linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.

At a Glance

Unranked

Current Rank

Total births

Since 1900

1918

Peak year

8 births

Compare Bub with another name

Popularity Over Time

Bub has 10+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1900.

First appeared: 1900Peak: 1918 (8 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Bub
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1950s	5	#4058	▼
1940s	6	#3184	▲
1930s	5	#3590	▼
1920s	10	#4304	▼
1910s	18	#3417	▲
1900s	10	#1286	—

The Story of Bub

A Greatest Generation name

Peaking in 1918, Bub is a name steeped in history. Boys named Bub are most likely born between 1908 and 1928.

How rare is Bub?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Bub is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1900, peaked in the 1910s with 18 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Bub by the numbers

Would fill 1 school bus

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(10 years, 1900–1959)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Bub
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1959	5	#4058	-1 (-16.7%)
1941	6	#3184	+1 (20.0%)
1937	5	#3590	0
1928	5	#4231	0
1920	5	#4376	0
1919	5	#4232	-3 (-37.5%)
1918	8	#3140	+3 (60.0%)
1913	5	#2879	0
1904	5	#1230	0
1900	5	#1342	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bub a boy's or girl's name?

Bub is primarily a boy's name.

When was Bub most popular?

Bub reached its peak popularity in 1918 with 8 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Bub?

Bub is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 54 babies in the U.S. since 1900. Its peak was in 1918.

Explore More

By Length3-letter names By OriginGerman names By EndingNames in -b TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1900–1959

Bub