Rising since 2001, #60 for boys today.
Popularity of Beau since 1932
Babies named Beau per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 68 |
| 1950s | 123 |
| 1960s | 472 |
| 1970s | 3,145 |
| 1980s | 7,174 |
| 1990s | 5,617 |
| 2000s | 6,134 |
| 2010s | 17,768 |
| 2020s | 25,086 |
Meaning & origin
Beau, a name of French origin meaning "handsome," has become a modern favorite in the United States. First recorded as a given name in 1932, it remained rare for decades before experiencing a steady rise in popularity. Since 2001, Beau has been on an upward trajectory, and in 2025 it reached its peak rank of 60, with 1 in every 331 baby boys receiving the name. Beau is most popular in states like Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana, reflecting its appeal in the American West.
Beau is a French word meaning "handsome" or "beautiful." It entered English usage as a given name, originally as a nickname or a term for a dandy, and later became established as a first name. It is also used as a short form of names like Beauregard.
Where Beau is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Beau” around the world
Where Beau lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
34
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#24
in 2025
Quebec
9
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#25
in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Bo
Sibling names for Beau
Names that share Beau's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Grace, Alice, Chloe, Lily, Emma, Scarlett, Belle, Cali, Dixie, Fawn, Joie, Landry, Maudie, Jadore, Pa, Amour, Any, Chardonnay, Ciel, Kae, Lively, Roux, Bijou, Miel, Noelly, Ree
Brothers: Finn, Leo, Jack, Max, Henry, Wyatt, Leon, Rhett, Beaux, Kolt, True, Alcide, Beauden, Cheston, Croix, Jessejames, Rayland, Baine, Lebaron, Moxon, Bowe, Ho, Jp, Labaron, Ritter, Vue
Names like Beau
Names whose popularity has moved with Beau's over the last 50 years.
