Beau is a given name of French origin that has gained popularity in recent years. It is derived from the French word "beau," which means "handsome" or "beautiful." The name Beau has been used traditionally as a masculine given name, but it can also be used for girls.
The use of Beau as a given name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in France. It was often used as a nickname for boys who were considered attractive or handsome. Over time, Beau became more commonly used as a formal given name, particularly among French nobility.
In English-speaking countries, Beau began to gain popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was often used as a given name for boys in families with French ancestry or connections. Today, Beau is still most commonly used as a boy's name, but it has also been used occasionally for girls.
Some famous people named Beau include American actor Beau Bridges and Australian cricket player Beau Webster. Despite its popularity, Beau remains a relatively uncommon given name compared to more traditional names like John or Michael. Nonetheless, it continues to be used by parents who appreciate its unique sound and French origins.
The given statistics provide an interesting snapshot of the popularity of the name Beau in the United States over a span of nearly ninety years, from 1932 to 2023.
In the early years, the number of births with the name Beau fluctuated between five and twenty annually. This trend continued until the late 1960s, when we begin to see a steady increase in its popularity. In 1969, there were ninety births with the name Beau, marking a significant jump from previous years.
This upward trajectory continued through the 1970s and 1980s, with the number of annual births with the name Beau consistently reaching into the hundreds. The year 1980 saw an especially notable spike, with 1207 births, making it the most popular year for the name Beau up until that point.
However, the real boom in popularity for the name Beau occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Between 2003 and 2006 alone, the number of annual births with the name Beau more than doubled, from 612 to 691.
This trend continued into the 2010s, with the number of births with the name Beau reaching record highs. In 2020, there were 3815 such births, and in 2021 and 2022, this number increased further to 3951 and 4090 respectively.
In conclusion, while the popularity of the name Beau started relatively low in the United States, it has grown steadily over time. Today, Beau is one of the most popular baby boy names in America.