Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Beau
BoyFrench· “handsome”
- Meaning
- handsome
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- BOH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #60
- US babies 2025
- 5,165
- Best rank
- #60 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Beau
Beau is a French name that means “handsome”.
Beau is the French word for "handsome" or "beautiful." In English it was long used to describe a fashionable man or a suitor, as with Beau Brummell, the Regency dandy famous for his style. As a given name, Beau has a laid-back, charming image, popular in the American South and helped by characters and public figures over the years. It is a single, soft syllable that sits nicely with longer surnames and middle names. The feminine form Belle comes from the same French root. Beau is short, stylish and easy to spell in English.
Other spellings with the same sound: Bo, Beaux, Boe.
Famous parents who chose Beau: Adam DeVine and Chloe Bridges (2024). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Beau first appears in US Social Security records in 1932. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 58 different years, starting in 1967. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #60, and its highest count, 5,165 babies. Use has grown 161% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #2,448 in 1950, #203 in 1980, #467 in 2000, #375 in 2010, and #60 in 2025. Of the 65,592 US boys named Beau since records began, 38% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 17,768 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Waylon, Brooks, Weston, Wesley, and Silas.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Beau ranked highest in South Dakota, Iowa, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #7 | 42 |
| Iowa | #13 | 98 |
| Utah | #16 | 131 |
| Wyoming | #16 | 14 |
| Montana | #17 | 33 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Beau over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Beau is usually pronounced BOH, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with B and ends in “-au”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Bo, Beaux, and Boe.
Middle names for Beau
A few middle names that flow with Beau: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Beau
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Lists that include Beau
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Beau mean?
Beau is a French name that means “handsome”.
What is the origin of the name Beau?
Beau has French roots. Beau is the French word for "handsome" or "beautiful." In English it was long used to describe a fashionable man or a suitor, as with Beau Brummell, the Regency dandy famous for his style.
Is Beau a popular name?
Yes. Beau ranked #60 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Beau a boy or girl name?
Beau is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Beau over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Beau?
Beau is usually pronounced BOH. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings