A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Bea since 1883
Babies named Bea per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bea's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 21 |
| 1890s | 38 |
| 1900s | 117 |
| 1910s | 224 |
| 1920s | 228 |
| 1930s | 216 |
| 1940s | 262 |
| 1950s | 169 |
| 1960s | 162 |
| 1970s | 27 |
| 1980s | 14 |
| 1990s | 13 |
| 2000s | 116 |
| 2010s | 325 |
| 2020s | 410 |
Meaning & origin
Bea is a diminutive of Beatrice, a Latin name meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed'. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1883 and while it peaked in popularity in 1908, it has been rising again since 1996, now ranking 2214th as of 2025. The name is most frequently given in New York, California, and Texas, reflecting its broad yet understated appeal. Bea fits a modern trend toward short, vintage-sounding names, offering a simple and cheerful choice for a girl.
Bea originated as a diminutive of Beatrice, which itself derives from the Latin 'beatrix' meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed'. The name Beatrice was popular in medieval Europe, borne by Dante's muse in the Divine Comedy. Bea emerged as an independent given name in the English-speaking world in the late 19th century, often used as a short form but occasionally as a standalone name.
Where Bea is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Bea” around the world
Where Bea lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Quebec
28
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Bee
Sibling names for Bea
Names that share Bea's style, for a brother or sister.
