Bowie

♂ Boy

Pronounced BOH-ee /ˈboʊ.i/High

Meaning: Blond; yellow-haired; from Scottish Gaelic buidhe (yellow, golden, blond) — the same root as the Gaelic word for 'yellow'High

In 30 seconds: A Scottish Gaelic surname meaning 'blond' or 'yellow-haired,' from buidhe (yellow). Associated with rock legend David Bowie and with Jim Bowie of the Alamo — the Scottish name carried by an English eccentric and an American frontier hero.

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Origin HighScottish, Irish

MeaningBlond; yellow-haired; from Scottish Gaelic buidhe (yellow, golden, blond) — the same root as the Gaelic word for 'yellow'

U.S. rank (2025)#1228 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births164 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,234

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

Bowie is a Scottish Gaelic surname from buidhe (yellow, golden, blond), referring to a yellow-haired ancestor. Jim Bowie (1796–1836) of the Alamo fame and musician David Bowie are its most famous bearers.

Bowie ranked #1206 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? David Bowie (1947–2016) is widely considered one of rock music's most influential artists — his ability to reinvent himself across multiple personas (Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke) made his career a masterclass in artistic evolution.

Overall data confidence 87%

Behind the Name — Bowie — Scottish Gaelic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

BowyBowen

Nicknames

Bow

Famous Bearers

★David Bowie (1947-2016)
English rock musician and cultural icon
★Bowie Kuhn (1926-2007)
Commissioner of Major League Baseball and Hall of Famer

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bowie mean?

Bowie means 'blond' or 'yellow-haired,' from Scottish Gaelic buidhe (yellow, golden).

How do you pronounce Bowie?

It's said BOH-ee — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Bowie a boy or girl name?

Bowie is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Bowie?

Bowie ranked #1206 for U.S. boys in 2024.