Bob Ratliff

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Bob Ratliff — English
83K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Bob Ratliff is a name that combines English origins. The first name Bob is a masculine given name of English origin. Bob is a male given name or a hypocorism, usually of Robert; and sometimes a diminutive of Bobby. The name most likely originated from Rob. Rhyming names were popular in the Middle Ages, so Rick became Hick or Dick, Will became Gill or Bill, and Rob became Hob, Dob, Nob, or Bob. The name Bob has shrunken in popularity in the past 60 years. In 1960, nearly 3,000 babies in the United States were given the name Bob, compared to fewer than 50 in 2000. The surname Ratliff: Alfonso Ratliff (born 1956), American boxer Anthony Ratliff-Williams (born 1997), American football player Arthur M. Ratliff (1924–2007), American teacher, author, and businessman Ben Ratliff (born 1968), American journalist, music critic, and author Bennett Ratliff (born 1961), American politician Bill Ratliff (1936–2025), American politician Bo Ratliff (1933–2024), American singer Brett Ratliff (born 1985), American football player Carlos Ratliff (1910–1961), American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach Connor Ratliff, American actor and comedian David Ratliff (1912–1995), Am. Bob is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 83K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Bob reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Bob

English

Bob is a male given name or a hypocorism, usually of Robert; and sometimes a diminutive of Bobby. The name most likely originated from Rob. Rhyming names were popular in the Middle Ages, so Rick became Hick or Dick, Will became Gill or Bill, and Rob became Hob, Dob, Nob, or Bob. The name Bob has shrunken in popularity in the past 60 years. In 1960, nearly 3,000 babies in the United States were given the name Bob, compared to fewer than 50 in 2000.

Surname: Ratliff

English

Alfonso Ratliff (born 1956), American boxer Anthony Ratliff-Williams (born 1997), American football player Arthur M. Ratliff (1924–2007), American teacher, author, and businessman Ben Ratliff (born 1968), American journalist, music critic, and author Bennett Ratliff (born 1961), American politician Bill Ratliff (1936–2025), American politician Bo Ratliff (1933–2024), American singer Brett Ratliff (born 1985), American football player Carlos Ratliff (1910–1961), American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach Connor Ratliff, American actor and comedian David Ratliff (1912–1995), Am.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Bob is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Bob by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Bob Ratliff

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Bob Ratliff:

1
Expression Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

7
Soul Urge Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

3
Personality Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Bob?
The first name Bob originates from English. Bob is a male given name or a hypocorism, usually of Robert; and sometimes a diminutive of Bobby. The name most likely originated from Rob. Rhyming names were popular in the Middle Ages, so Rick became Hick or Dick, Will became Gill or Bill, and Rob became Hob, Dob, Nob, or Bob. The name Bob has shrunken in popularity in the past 60 years. In 1960, nearly 3,000 babies in the United States were given the name Bob, compared to fewer than 50 in 2000.
When was Bob most popular?
The name Bob reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Ratliff?
The surname Ratliff originates from English. Alfonso Ratliff (born 1956), American boxer Anthony Ratliff-Williams (born 1997), American football player Arthur M. Ratliff (1924–2007), American teacher, author, and businessman Ben Ratliff (born 1968), American journalist, music critic, and author Bennett Ratliff (born 1961), American politician Bill Ratliff (1936–2025), American politician Bo Ratliff (1933–2024), American singer Brett Ratliff (born 1985), American football player Carlos Ratliff (1910–1961), American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach Connor Ratliff, American actor and comedian David Ratliff (1912–1995), Am.
How common is the surname Ratliff?
The surname Ratliff is shared by approximately 30K people worldwide.
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