Bambi

At a Glance

Meaning

Little child

Origin

Italian (via German, popularized by the Bambi story/film)

Gender

Primarily used for girls

Pronunciation

BAM-beeListen

Bambi actually means "little child" — it comes from the Italian bambino/bambina, by way of German, and became a household name through the Bambi story and film. Many people assume it means "deer" or "fawn," but that's just the character talking — the word itself never meant that. If you're drawn to Bambi, you're choosing a name rooted in a sense of childhood rather than wildlife.

Meaning & Origin of Bambi

Meaning: Little child.

Origin: Italian (via German, popularized by the Bambi story/film).

A common claim: Widely believed to mean 'deer' or 'fawn'. Actually: It doesn't — Bambi comes from Italian bambino/bambina ('child'); the deer association comes only from the fictional character, not the word's origin.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Bambi

Popularity of Bambi

Bambi has been recorded in Social Security data from 1943 through 2024, peaking at #562 in 1979 with 327 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had fallen to #10368, with just 9 babies named Bambi.

Names Like Bambi

These names have followed a similar path to Bambi in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Keno
• Juventino
• Camara
• Justino
• Kier
• Kino

FAQ

What does the name Bambi mean?

Little child. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Bambi?

Bambi is pronounced BAM-bee (IPA: /ˈbæmbi/).

Is Bambi a popular name right now?

Bambi peaked at #562 in 1979 and is ranked #10368 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1943–2024.)

Make Bambi Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Bambi, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.