Bev is a short form of the name Beverly or Beverley. It is of English origin and its meaning is "beaver stream". The name is derived from the Old English words 'beofer' which means beaver, and 'lacu' which means stream.
The use of the name Bev can be traced back to the Middle Ages in England. It was often used as a surname, but it began to be used as a given name for girls during the 19th century. The name became popular in the United States in the early 20th century and remained so until the 1950s.
Despite its origins, Bev is not strictly gendered towards one particular sex. It has been used for both boys and girls throughout history. Today, it is still used occasionally as a given name, but it is more commonly found as a nickname or short form of Beverly/Beverley.
Some notable people with the name Bev include American actress Bev Moss (born Beverley Ann Moss), Australian politician Bev O'Brien (born Beverley Joan O'Brien) and British singer-songwriter Bev Bevan (born Beverley Martyn Bevan).
"In the United States, the name Bev experienced a brief moment of popularity during the year 1917, with a total of five babies being given this distinctive moniker. Although it did not gain widespread usage, as indicated by its limited occurrence in other years, the fact that five individuals share this birth year suggests a certain level of recognition and preference for the name within their specific communities."