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Bishop

♂ Boy

Pronounced BISH-up /ˈbɪʃ.əp/High

Meaning: Overseer; supervisor; from Greek episkopos (epi: over + skopos: watcher, supervisor), via Latin episcopus and Old English bisceopHigh

In 30 seconds: An English occupational name meaning 'bishop' — a church overseer — from Greek episkopos (overseer). As a given name it is an aspirational title name, similar to King, Duke, and Majesty.

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Origin HighGreek, English

MeaningOverseer; supervisor; from Greek episkopos (epi: over + skopos: watcher, supervisor), via Latin episcopus and Old English bisceop

U.S. rank (2025)#1188 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births172 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,977

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

Bishop comes from Old English bisceop, from Latin episcopus, from Greek episkopos (epi: over + skopos: one who watches). The bishop is a senior church official who oversees a diocese. As a given name it is a modern American title name.

Bishop ranked #1194 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? The word 'bishop' traveled from Greek epískopos (overseer) through Latin episcopus, then Old English bisceop — losing letters at each stage the way a game of telephone loses information. The chess piece bishop was named for the bishop's hat (mitre), not the other way around.

Overall data confidence 94%

Behind the Name — Bishop — Greek/Old English etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

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Nicknames

Bish

Famous Bearers

★Bishop Sankey (1992-)
American NFL running back drafted by the Tennessee Titans

If you like Bishop…

King— title name with the same regal aspirational tradition

Duke— title name in the same American aspirational category

Prince— royalty title name in the same naming tradition

Major— military title used as a given name in the same vein

Explore names like Bishop

By themeenglish greek two-syllable aspirational title-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bishop mean?

Bishop means 'overseer' or 'supervisor,' from Greek episkopos (epi: over + skopos: watcher), the title for a church official overseeing a diocese.

How do you pronounce Bishop?

It's said BISH-up — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Bishop a boy or girl name?

Bishop is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Bishop?

Bishop ranked #1194 for U.S. boys in 2024.