Bud
A boy's name of American origin with 9,489 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male nickname.
Bud is a boy's baby name of American origin, derived from the Middle English word budde meaning 'bud' (as in a flower bud) or from 'buddy' — an informal term of endearment for a friend or companion. It became a popular American nickname throughout the 20th century.
Bud carries the warm, unpretentious spirit of mid-century American life — the name of someone who shows up, fixes things, and never puts on airs. Bud Abbott of Abbott and Costello gave it comedic gold.
EtymologyShow more
Bud is built from 3 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the American naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Bud creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bud has 138+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 53 | #8115 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 75 | #8321 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 50 | #7182 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 147 | #4766 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 361 | #1766 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 341 | #1556 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 677 | #953 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 1,096 | #698 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 993 | #642 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,512 | #472 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 1,882 | #444 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 1,202 | #432 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 340 | #364 | — |
| 1890s | 359 | #302 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 401 | #265 | — |
The Story of Bud
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1928, Bud is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Bud are most likely born between 1918 and 1938.
How rare is Bud?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Bud — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 1,882 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Bud by the numbers
- Would fill 198 school buses
- Meeting one Bud per day would take 26 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(138 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #6498 |
| 2023 | 13 | #6592 |
| 2022 | 14 | #6191 |
| 2021 | 5 | #12433 |
| 2020 | 8 | #8862 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6400 |
| 2017 | 11 | #7171 |
| 2016 | 10 | #7682 |
| 2015 | 8 | #8867 |
| 2014 | 12 | #6699 |
| 2013 | 7 | #9803 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11022 |
| 2010 | 8 | #8922 |
| 2007 | 12 | #6677 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6152 |
| 2003 | 9 | #7318 |
| 2001 | 10 | #6522 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9241 |
| 1999 | 7 | #7972 |
| 1998 | 8 | #6934 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bud a boy's or girl's name?
When was Bud most popular?
How popular is the name Bud?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024