bon

Bon is a term with multiple uses in language, culture, and onomastics. In French, bon is the masculine singular form of the adjective meaning good, as in phrases like bon appétit and bon voyage. Its feminine form is bonne, and the word appears in a wide range of idiomatic expressions and compound terms.

Bon also refers to the indigenous Tibetan spiritual tradition known as Bon or Bon Po. Originating in Tibet before the arrival of Buddhism, Bon encompasses a distinct cosmology, ritual practices, and a corpus of texts. It continues to be practiced today by adherents around the world, often organized in monasteries and centers that preserve its rites and teachings.

As a name, Bon functions as a given name or nickname in English-speaking contexts and can appear as a surname in various cultures. A notable bearer of the name is Bon Scott, the Australian singer who fronted AC/DC; his public name came from the nickname he used, Ronald Belford Scott, rather than a legal given name.

In addition to these uses, Bon appears in various cultural and linguistic contexts as a word or element of a name. The meaning and interpretation of Bon are therefore highly context-dependent, spanning language, religion, and personal naming traditions.