Bo is a Swedish / Danish masculine given name, derived from an Old Norse nickname, bua, meaning to live. A variant of Bo is the Swedish Bosse.Bo is uncommon as a surname. Bo is also short for several names, including Robert, Beaufort, Beauregard, Bonita or Bonnie. variant of Bo is the Swedish Bosse. Bo is uncommon as a surname. Bo is also short for several names, including Robert, Beaufort, Beauregard, Bonita or Bonnie.