Beau is a given name of French origin and it means "handsome" or "beautiful." It comes from the Old French word "beau," which has the same meaning. The name Beau has been used in English-speaking countries for centuries, but it gained popularity as a given name in the United States during the mid-20th century.
The use of Beau as a given name can be traced back to at least the 17th century in England. It was often used as a nickname or pet name for boys who were considered handsome or attractive. In some cases, it may have also been used as a shortened form of other names such as Beauregard or Beausire.
Beau has been featured in popular culture throughout history. One notable example is Beau Geste, the title character of a novella written by P.C. Wren in 1924. The story follows three brothers who serve in the French Foreign Legion and has inspired several film adaptations. Additionally, Beau is the name of the protagonist in the novel "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway.
In recent years, Beau has become increasingly popular as a given name for boys. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it was one of the fastest-growing boy names in the United States between 2014 and 2019. While it is still relatively uncommon compared to more traditional boy names such as John or James, Beau's popularity continues to rise.
Overall, Beau is a distinctive given name with French origins that means "handsome" or "beautiful." Its use can be traced back centuries in English-speaking countries and has been featured in various works of literature and film. Despite its growing popularity, Beau remains a unique choice for parents looking for a memorable name for their son.
The name Beau has seen fluctuating popularity over the years, with a significant increase in usage since the early 2000s. Between 1977 and 1994, the number of annual births with the name Beau varied between 5 to 7 births per year, with a brief spike to 23 births in 1980. However, starting from 1999, there was a notable rise in popularity, with the number of annual births consistently ranging from 6 to 51 since then, peaking in 2022 with 59 births. Overall, Beau has been given to 885 babies over the years.