Beatrice, derived from the Italian 'beatore', meaning 'blessed' or 'happy', is a classic and elegant name of Latin origin. It was popularized during the Middle Ages through Dante Alighieri's epic poem 'Divine Comedy,' where Beatrice becomes the beloved guide to the author through Paradiso. This name is often associated with wisdom, grace, and nobility.
The name Beatrice peaked in popularity during the early 20th century, with a significant rise occurring around World War I and reaching its highest point in 1915-1921, with over 20 births each year except for one year when it dropped to 15. Post-WWII saw a steady decline until the late 1940s when it stabilized between 8 to 15 births per year until 1960. There were occasional spikes in the mid-1950s and then again in the late 1980s, but overall the name Beatrice has become less popular over time.