Explore the Family Name Bok
The meaning of Bok
1. Dutch: from an ancient Germanic personal name Bocco or Bucco, possibly developed from Burkhard, see Burkhart. 2. Dutch: from bok in the sense ‘he-goat’, a nickname for a goatherd or for someone associated with the character or appearence of a he-goat. Alternatively, it may be a topographic or habitational name referring to a house with the word bok in its name, e.g. In de Witte Bok (‘At the White He-Goat’). Compare Bock. 3. Czech: from the Old Czech personal name Bok, a short form of names such as Bohuslav and Bohumil (see Bocek). 4. Swedish: ornamental name from bok ‘beech’. 5. Slovenian and Croatian: nickname from German Bock ‘he-goat’ (see Bock), or a nickname or a topographic name from bok ‘side (of the human body)’, also ‘hillside’. 6. Jewish: variant of Bock. 7. Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 莫, possibly based on its Hokkien pronunciation, see Mo 1. 8. Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 卜, see Bu 2.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Bok in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Bok saw a significant rise in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 35,522nd in popularity, but by 2010, it had risen to 31,383rd, reflecting a growth rate of 11.65%. The number of people bearing this surname also increased during this period, from 599 to 738, marking a 23.21% increase. Additionally, the proportion of individuals with the surname Bok per 100,000 people increased by 13.64%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #35,522 | #31,383 | 11.65% |
| Count | 599 | 738 | 23.21% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.22 | 0.25 | 13.64% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Bok
The census data reveals interesting shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Bok between 2000 and 2010. People with Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity carrying this surname rose from 14.19% to 21.41%, indicating a 50.88% increase. However, those identifying with two or more races decreased from 2.17% to 1.63%, a drop of 24.88%. The percentage of White individuals with this surname also reduced, falling from 81.97% to 73.71%, representing a 10.08% decrease. On the other hand, there was a 63% increase in Hispanics bearing the surname Bok. The percentages for Black, American Indian, and Alaskan Native ethnicities remained constant, with no individuals from these groups reported to have the surname Bok in both years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 81.97% | 73.71% | -10.08% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 14.19% | 21.41% | 50.88% |
| Two or More Races | 2.17% | 1.63% | -24.88% |
| Hispanic | 1% | 1.63% | 63% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |