Bodhi

At a Glance: Name: Bodhi – Meaning: awakening or enlightenment – Origin: Sanskrit/Pali (Buddhist term) – Gender: Neutral – Pronunciation: BOH-dee

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Bodhi is a gender-neutral name pronounced BOH-dee, rooted in the Sanskrit and Pali term for awakening or enlightenment from Buddhist tradition. It has a free-spirited, well-traveled feel, and U.S. records show it in use since at least 1976, giving it a settled, familiar quality rather than a brand-new one. For parents drawn to a short name with real depth behind it, Bodhi fits the bill.

Meaning & Origin of Bodhi

Meaning: Awakening or enlightenment.

Origin: Sanskrit/Pali (Buddhist term).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Bodhi

Phonetic: BOH-dee   IPA: /ˈboʊdi/

Popularity of Bodhi

Bodhi hit its high point in 2021, when 1,220 babies were given the name and it ranked #284 nationally; by 2024 it had eased slightly to #302, with 1,110 babies sharing the name.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1976–2024.

Make Bodhi Name Art

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

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Indra
• Alaya
• Amrit
• Anaya
• Arjun
• Arun

FAQ

What does the name Bodhi mean?

Awakening or enlightenment. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Bodhi)

How do you pronounce Bodhi?

Bodhi is pronounced BOH-dee (IPA: /ˈboʊdi/).

Is Bodhi a popular name right now?

Bodhi is near its all-time peak (#284 in 2021), ranked #302 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1976–2024.)

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