SB Nation: What about Bob?

[Roy Tucker]

The name "Bob" is almost extinct in modern day sports.

http://www.sbnation.com/2012/1/18/27...-sporting-bobs

[gonelong]

The name "Bob" is almost extinct in modern day sports.

http://www.sbnation.com/2012/1/18/27...-sporting-bobs

I blame Bob Boone.

GL

/Bob Purkey, Bob Bescher, Bob Borkowski, Bob Tolan, Bob Quinn, Bob Howsam and Bob Castellini weep silently.
// Need to convince Robert Stephenson to go by Bob, he could corner the Bob market.

[UKFlounder]

You win.

I blame Bob Boone.

GL

/Bob Purkey, Bob Bescher, Bob Borkowski, Bob Tolan, Bob Quinn, Bob Howsam and Bob Castellini weep silently.
// Need to convince Robert Stephenson to go by Bob, he could corner the Bob market.

[New York Red]

I'm sure it's not a sports thing, but more a society thing. I think of the first names of many of my older relatives (some of whom are deceased) and most of those names are rarely given to newborn babies these days. I have an uncle Bob who's in his 70's, but I can't think of anyone I know (relative, friend or co-worker) with that name who's under the age of 30 or so. I'm sure we could come up with a list of quite a few names besides Bob that are also becoming "extinct".

[Roy Tucker]

From 1924 to 1939, Robert was the #1 baby name. From 1940 to 1952, it was #2 and then had a brief re-appearance at #1 in 1953. That's a lot of Bob's. Both my dad and older brother are named Robert.

And then it steadily dropped all through the years till 2009 when it was #55. It was #54 in 2010.

Everything you ever wanted to know about given names here... http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

[blumj]

Seems like most Roberts start out as Robbies and grow up to be Robs now, and then, even when you do get the occasionally Bobby, he stays a Bobby. And you have to think a lot of the Roberts are Robbies-Robs because their Dads or Granddads are already the Bob in the family.