Dog Names > Bo

Bo

Unisex

Meaning

To live

Origin

Norse

Pronunciation

/boʊ/

Alt. Spellings

Beau

EDITOR'S NOTE

Emily P.

PupNames.com Contributor

Bo is a dog name that packs a punch! It's short, snappy, and easy for your pooch to recognize. It's also the name of the Obama family's Portuguese Water Dog, making it presidentially approved! Plus, it's got a cool etymology - in Danish, Bo means "to live", perfect for a lively, energetic dog. And let's not forget Bo Derek, the actress who set the standard for perfect 10s. So, if you want a name that's easy to call at the dog park, has a touch of celebrity sparkle, and suggests your dog is full of life, Bo is the way to go!

Traits associated with the name Bo:

Bo has a beautiful sound to it that represents a powerful affection between owner and dog.

Dogs named Bo tend to be loving, loyal, good-natured, and brave. This name is also associated with companionship, and intelligence.

What does it say about you to have a dog named Bo?

That you have a sense of humor and enjoy giving your pet a unique name. It also suggests that you are creative and like to think outside the box.

Is Bo a good dog name?

Bo is a one-syllable dog name, making it short and snappy. The name also ends in a vowel sound, so it's easy for dogs to recognize. Bo is a widely loved dog name for good reason. If you like it, go for it!

Popularity: Overall

158
PupNames logo
248
New York City Dog Name Database
159
Los Angeles Times 'Top Dogs'

Bo is one of the more popular dog names out there. According to our data, Bo outranks the great majority of names.

Popularity: Historical Trend

Bo was, in the past month, the 103rd most viewed dog name on PupNames.com.

As of May 2025, Bo is becoming a more popular moniker with new puppy owners. Our stats show that the name is more fashionable than it was at this time last year.

We've seen quite a lot of variation in rank for this name, which may suggest seasonal factors or interest driven by pop culture events.

In the past week, Bo was viewed 60 times, and liked 2 times.

Popularity: United States

The map below shows Bo's popularity across the United States, according to PupNames data.

Bo is most adored in Mississippi, Minnesota and New Mexico.

By contrast, the name has been shown the least amount of interest in Indiana, Missouri and Connecticut.

Popularity: Around The World

And this world map shows which countries have the greatest love for the name Bo.

Most popular breeds named Bo:

  1. Labrador Retriever
  2. German Shepherd
  3. Rottweiler
  4. American Pitbull Terrier
  5. Boxer

Bo is found in these categories:

scandinavian dog names
scandinavian

Common first name in Denmark and Sweden, means "to live" in Swedish.

chinese dog names
chinese

A common surname and means "wave" in Mandarin.

nerdy dog names
nerdy

Associations with Bo Burnham, a comedian known for intellectual humor.

badass dog names
badass

Short, strong, and easy to call, exuding a sense of coolness and confidence.

cute dog names
cute

Short, sweet, and reminiscent of beloved actor Bo Derek.

white dog names
white

Bo means "bright" in Danish, perfect for a light-colored pup!

country dog names
country

Associations with Southern charm and rural simplicity make this a popular choice for canine companions.

Dog names like Bo:

Babe
Death, destruction and run.
Blaze
Bright and shiny.
Blanche
White
Bear
Bear-like
Blue
The color; also a colloquialism meaning "sad"
Bolt
Explosive leap forward or upright; the action of a rifle.
See more...
Bo dog name meaning

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