Bush
A boy's name of Middle English origin with 80 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Middle English. George H. W. Bush, 41st president of the United States from 1989 to 1993
Bush is a boy's baby name of Middle English origin, derived from the Old English and Middle English word for 'bush, shrub' — indicating someone who lived near a thicket or was associated with woodland. As a given name, it follows the American tradition of presidential surnames used as first names.
Two U.S. presidents have carried the Bush name — George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush — giving it associations with American political legacy. Its use as a given name reflects the deep American tradition of honoring statesmen through children's names.
EtymologyShow more
Though Bush dates back to 1889 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Middle English classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 80 recorded births, Bush has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bush has 13+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1889.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | #11122 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 8 | #6204 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | #3759 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 17 | #4035 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 33 | #3339 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 5 | #1023 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 7 | #809 | — |
The Story of Bush
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1915, Bush is a name steeped in history. Boys named Bush are most likely born between 1905 and 1925.
How rare is Bush?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Bush is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1889, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1910s with 33 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Bush by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(13 years, 1889–2003)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 5 | #11122 |
| 1992 | 8 | #6204 |
| 1949 | 5 | #3759 |
| 1928 | 7 | #3401 |
| 1927 | 5 | #4283 |
| 1921 | 5 | #4421 |
| 1919 | 7 | #3445 |
| 1918 | 5 | #4260 |
| 1917 | 5 | #4070 |
| 1915 | 11 | #2325 |
| 1912 | 5 | #2596 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1023 |
| 1889 | 7 | #809 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bush a boy's or girl's name?
When was Bush most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1889–2003