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Boston

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Boston Pronunciation

Boston is pronounced BOS-tən /ˈbɔs.tən/High

Meaning: From the city of Boston — traditionally 'Botwulf's stone or town' in Lincolnshire, England — used as a place name for daughtersMedium

In 30 seconds: The Cradle of Liberty as a girl's name: Boston honors the New England city — itself named for an English saint's marketplace town. Brainy, brisk, and a little revolutionary.

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Origin MediumEnglish, American

MeaningFrom the city of Boston — traditionally 'Botwulf's stone or town' in Lincolnshire, England — used as a place name for daughters

U.S. rank (2024)#3509 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births44 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 989

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Boston the given name comes from the Massachusetts city — its English namesake parsed as 'Botwulf's stone' or 'town' — riding the 2000s place-name wave with Brooklyn and Charleston. Used for both sexes, with girls' use a smaller, sharper share.

It registers modestly in U.S. records. For a daughter it reads collegiate, historic, and Bo-equipped. Rare and civic.

Did you know? Boston, Massachusetts borrowed its name from Boston, Lincolnshire — 'Botwulf's town', after the Anglo-Saxon abbot St. Botwulf, whose fair gave the English town its market.

Overall data confidence 75%

Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names — Boston — etymology, traditional

Variations

BostynBosten

Nicknames

BoBossy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Boston…

Brooklyn— the flagship city-name-for-girls

Charleston— a fellow American-city pick for daughters

Kennedy— the Boston-rooted political surname for girls

Raleigh— another place name crossing to girls

→ See all names like Boston

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Boston?

Boston is pronounced BOS-tən (/ˈbɔs.tən/). Press play above to hear Boston said aloud.

How do you say Boston?

Boston is said BOS-tən (/ˈbɔs.tən/). Press play above to hear Boston said aloud.

What does the name Boston mean?

Boston comes from the city, traditionally 'Botwulf's stone or town' in England.

Is Boston a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Boston?

Boston is a rare place name for girls in the U.S.