Bo

Bo is all open vowel, two letters with unexpected reach. It lives as an affectionate short form across several traditions, Dutch Bo for Bodil, Chinese Bo meaning wave or precious, Scandinavian Bo meaning to live or dwell, and the American Southern nickname for Beau. At rank 451, it's climbing steadily, part of the minimalist turn that has lifted Max, Jax, and Arlo. A single sound, round and confident, easy to shout across a yard. Bo has a slight cowboy drawl and a slight Copenhagen cool at once. Small and handsome and more versatile than it looks, a name that will grow with a child without ever outgrowing the child.