Bea
Bea is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Blessed or she who makes happy.
Origin and history
Bea originated as a shortened form of names like Beatrix and Beatrice, which stem from the Latin word for blessed or happy. Historically used as a standalone name, it maintains a vintage charm in the United States. Recent U.S. birth data shows a mild revival as a short, classic name.
Popularity in the United States
2,342 babies in the United States have been named Bea since 1880. It ranks #3639 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1691.
States where it is most popular
- CA (49.5 %)
- NY (22.7 %)
- TX (13 %)
- IL (6.9 %)
- OH (2.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 21 |
| 1890-1900 | 38 |
| 1900-1910 | 117 |
| 1910-1920 | 224 |
| 1920-1930 | 228 |
| 1930-1940 | 216 |
| 1940-1950 | 262 |
| 1950-1960 | 169 |
| 1960-1970 | 162 |
| 1970-1980 | 27 |
| 1980-1990 | 14 |
| 1990-2000 | 13 |
| 2000-2010 | 116 |
| 2010-2019 | 325 |
| 2020-2029 | 410 |
Famous people named Bea
- Bea Arthur: Actress, Comedian
- Bea Benaderet: Actress, Voice Actress
Fun facts
- Bea began as a affectionate abbreviation for Beatrice and Beatrix before gaining recognition as an independent given name.
- Along with other short vintage names, Bea has seen increased usage in the U.S. during the 2020s.