Bishop
Bishop is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Overseer, guardian, or bishop.
Origin and history
Bishop originated as an Old English occupational surname derived from the Greek word 'episkopos', meaning overseer or guardian. While originally associated with clerical roles or ceremonial duties, it transitioned into a masculine given name in the United States. It has seen steady, moderate modern usage as an occupational and surname-style option.
Popularity in the United States
6,980 babies in the United States have been named Bishop since 1880. It ranks #1443 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #999.
States where it is most popular
- TX (17.4 %)
- CA (14.8 %)
- GA (8 %)
- OH (5.9 %)
- FL (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 93 |
| 1890-1900 | 110 |
| 1900-1910 | 111 |
| 1910-1920 | 274 |
| 1920-1930 | 313 |
| 1930-1940 | 187 |
| 1940-1950 | 200 |
| 1950-1960 | 173 |
| 1960-1970 | 104 |
| 1970-1980 | 96 |
| 1980-1990 | 102 |
| 1990-2000 | 756 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,417 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,869 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,175 |
Famous people named Bishop
- Bishop Sankey: American football player
Fun facts
- The term traces back to the Ancient Greek word 'episkopos', which combined 'epi' (over) and 'skopos' (watcher).
- Like Mason, Carter, or Jackson, Bishop gained popularity as part of the broader English occupational surname trend.