Bubba
Every Bubba since 1945 — 503 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bubba
Bubba is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,341 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1945, 503 American babies have been named Bubba. Its peak came in 1963, when 35 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Bubba stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bubba year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #12,341 |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 6 | #11,041 |
| 2022 | 7 | #9,994 |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #12,332 |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #6,657 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 6 | #4,864 |
| 1970 | 10 | #3,097 |
| 1965 | 20 | #1,778 |
| 1960 | 24 | #1,660 |
| 1955 | 13 | #2,228 |
| 1950 | 11 | #2,329 |
| 1945 | 6 | #3,026 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Bubba
- Bubba Smith Actor · 1945–2011
- Bubba Watson Golfer · b. 1978
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Bubba in 2025?
Bubba ranked #12,341 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bubba?
503 babies have been named Bubba in the United States since 1945, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bubba most popular?
Bubba peaked in 1963, when 35 newborns received the name.
Is Bubba a boy or girl name?
Bubba is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bubba rising or falling?
Bubba is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Bubba?
Well-known people named Bubba include Bubba Smith (actor), Bubba Watson (golfer).