Bodo is an Old German name that might either come from the Germanic element, bodo (lord, commander) or the Old German boto (messenger). The latter became bod (messenger) or boda (messenger, angel) in Anglo-Saxon.
In Anglo-Saxon England, the name spun off into Beda and in modern English became Bede.
Alternately, Bede has also been claimed to actually come from the Anglo-Saxon bed (prayer).
Saint Bede the Venerable (8th-century) was an English monk who was made Doctor of the Church and is most famous for writing Ecclesiastical History of the English People. He is known as the Father of English History.
Bodo was the name of a famous 9th-century German Christian who converted to Judaism and assumed the name Eleazer.
Bode is an English and Danish form.
Bode has been in and out of the U.S. Top 1000 since 2006 and is currently the 994th most popular male name (2016).
A notable bearer is American skier, Bode Miller (b. 1977).
Other forms of the name include:
- Beda (Anglo-Saxon, German)
- Bède (French)
- Bode (Danish, English)
- Bodhe (Swedish)
- Boto (German)
- Botho (German)
- Budhi (Swedish)
- Buði (Old Norse)
Sources
I think Bede would make a great middle!