NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Bow

A shortened form of the name Beaugh, meaning "arched" or "bent.".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Bow is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Bow popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 30 births.

This profile covers 279 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 2005 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 20% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 278 living people in the UK are called Bow. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Bow ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2012, when 30 girls were registered as Bow.
  • About 278 living people in the UK are estimated to have Bow as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 90.3% of Bow registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3695

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2012

30 births

Estimated living

278

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Bow

In England and Wales birth records, Bow has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 9.7% of registrations are for boys and 90.3% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

90% girls
Boys30 (9.7%)Girls279 (90.3%)

Bow registered for boys

  • Ranked #5,119 in 2024
  • 3 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2021 (6 births)

Bow registered for girls

  • Ranked #3,695 in 2024
  • 6 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2012 (30 births)

Meaning

What does Bow mean?

The name Bow is believed to have originated from the Old English word "boga," which referred to a type of archery weapon. This suggests that the name may have its roots in Anglo-Saxon culture, with a possible connection to warriors, hunters, or skilled archers from that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bow can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and tax assessments compiled in England in 1086. This historical document mentions several individuals with the name Bow or variations such as Boga.

In medieval times, the name Bow was relatively uncommon but appeared in various historical records and chronicles. One notable figure was Bow Wilton, an English archer who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 during the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

During the Renaissance period, the name Bow gained some popularity, particularly among English nobility and gentry. One example is Bow Brydges, an English landowner and Member of Parliament who lived in the 16th century.

In the 18th century, the name Bow was associated with several notable figures in the arts and literature. Bow Beaumont, an English playwright and poet, was born in 1718 and is best known for his comedic plays.

Moving into the 19th century, Bow Bowers, an American botanist and naturalist, made significant contributions to the study of plant life, particularly in the Appalachian region. He was born in 1828 and is remembered for his extensive collections and research.

Throughout history, the name Bow has been used across various cultures and regions, although it has remained relatively uncommon. Its origins and associations with archery and warfare have contributed to its unique and distinctive character.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Bow over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Bow in England and Wales, from 2005 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Bow, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 30 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
08152330200520142024

Decades

Bow by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Bow was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #2630 53 5
2010s #1614 204 10
2000s #3677 22 4

Related

Names similar to Bow

FAQ

Bow: questions and answers

How popular is the name Bow in the UK right now?

In 2024, Bow was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Bow most popular?

The peak year on record was 2012, with 30 babies registered as Bow in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Bow?

A shortened form of the name Beaugh, meaning "arched" or "bent.".

How many people are called Bow in the UK?

A total of 279 babies have been registered as Bow across the 19 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.