Bao

♂ Boy

Pronounced BOW /ˈbaʊ/Medium

Meaning: From Chinese bao, 'treasure; precious; a jewel', and Vietnamese bao, 'protection; to keep safe; precious'; used for both sexes; here for boys; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Treasure; precious; protection: Bao is Chinese/Vietnamese 'treasure'. Crisp, cultural, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for boys; said 'BOW').

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Origin LowChinese, Vietnamese

MeaningFrom Chinese bao, 'treasure; precious; a jewel', and Vietnamese bao, 'protection; to keep safe; precious'; used for both sexes; here for boys; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#7740 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1986

Total births (all-time)≈ 850

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Bao comes from the Chinese bao, 'treasure; precious; a jewel', and the Vietnamese bao, 'protection; to keep safe; precious' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, cultural name, used for both sexes, here for boys (slug distinguished).

In the U.S. it appears in Chinese and Vietnamese families. Rare, treasure-and-precious at the root, and cultural.

Did you know? Bao means 'treasure; precious; a jewel' in Chinese and 'protection; precious' in Vietnamese — a crisp, cultural name, used for both sexes (here for boys; the routes are layered; said 'BOW', rhyming with 'now').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Bao — routes layered

Variations

BảoPao

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bao…

Minh— a fellow Vietnamese boys' name

Khang— a companion Vietnamese boys' name

Jian— another Chinese boys' name

Bo— shares Bao's Chinese roots

Ren— another unisex pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bao mean?

Bao is Chinese 'treasure; precious' and Vietnamese 'protection; precious'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Bao?

It's said BOW /ˈbaʊ/ — one syllable, rhyming with 'now'.

Is Bao a boy or girl name?

Bao is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Bao?

Bao is a rare name in the U.S.