Bear
Bear is a boys' name of English origin meaning “the bear animal.” It ranked #853 in the United States in 2025. A nature name referencing the powerful and symbolic animal.
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how do you pronounce Bear?
BAIR
where does the name Bear come from?
An English given name and nickname taken directly from the animal. As a surname it relates to the word bear, and is sometimes a spelling variant of the German surnames Baer and Bahr.
The bear has held significant cultural weight across many traditions, from Norse berserkers who took their name from the bear's ferocity, to Native American totemic traditions. It has become a fashionable choice among celebrity parents.
how popular is this name?
Bear has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 8 years since 2018. It peaked at #760 in 2022, and ranked #853 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #853 |
| 2024 | #826 |
| 2023 | #820 |
| 2022 | #760 |
| 2021 | #827 |
| 2020 | #899 |
| 2019 | #897 |
| 2018 | #998 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Bear fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Bear
Bear has ranked among the 1,000 most popular boys' names in the United Kingdom since 2015 and in the United States since 2018.
who are famous people named Bear?
- Bear Grylls (adventurer and TV presenter)
- Bear Blaze Winslow (son of Kate Winslet)
what names are similar to Bear?
what names go well with Bear?
Sibling names that share Bear's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Bear
What does the name Bear mean?
Bear means “the bear animal”.
What is the origin of the name Bear?
Bear comes from the English naming tradition.
How popular is the name Bear?
Bear ranked #853 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data.
Is Bear a boy or girl name?
Bear is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Bear?
Bear is pronounced BAIR, with 1 syllable.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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