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Beatrice Girl

Popularity: #487 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationBEE-uh-triss / /ˈbiːətrɪs/

Latin; Italian; French

Meaning

Latin: she who brings happiness; Italian: blessed

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Beatrice has its roots in the Latin name "Beatrix," which is derived from the verb "beare," meaning "to bring" or "to carry." The name can be interpreted as "she who brings happiness" or "the one who makes happy." The transition of Beatrix into Beatrice occurred through the influence of Old French, where it was adapted as "Béatrice" before entering the English language in the Middle Ages. This linguistic journey reflects the broader cultural exchanges between Latin, French, and English during the periods of Norman influence in England.

Historically, Beatrice has been associated with several notable figures. One of the earliest references is in Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" (early 14th century), where Beatrice serves as a symbol of divine love and guidance. Additionally, Saint Beatrice of Silva, a 15th-century Spanish saint, contributed to the name's prominence in Christian contexts. The name appeared in various literary works, including Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" (1598), where the character Beatrice is portrayed as witty and strong-willed, further embedding the name in cultural consciousness.

Culturally, Beatrice has been associated with themes of joy, love, and enlightenment, resonating through various artistic and literary expressions. The name's enduring appeal can be attributed to its rich historical significance and the positive connotations associated with its meaning. Diminutive forms such as Bea have emerged over time, reflecting affection and familiarity, though the name Beatrice itself has maintained its formal stature throughout the centuries.

Trend Summary

Beatrice has seen a resurgence in popularity in the United States, particularly in the 21st century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Beatrix
  • Beatriss
  • Bea

International Variants

  • Beatriz (Spanish)
  • Beatrice (Italian)
  • Béatrice (French)

Famous people named Beatrice

Beatrice Arthur is an actress best known for The Golden Girls, Maude, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Beatrice Kiddo is a fictional character best known for her role in the Kill Bill film series.

Beatrice Rosen is an actress best known for 2012, The Dark Knight, and The Perfect Guy.

Fictional characters named Beatrice

Beatrice is a fictional character from the play Much Ado About Nothing. She is a sharp-witted woman known for her clever banter and strong independence.

Beatrice is a fictional character from the video game series Dante's Inferno. She is the beloved of the protagonist, Dante, whose journey through Hell is motivated by his desire to save her.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Beatrice was first seen in the United States in 1880. Beatrice has ranked as high as #78 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Michigan, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Beatrice has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Beatrice (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 48
11%
NY 35
8%
TX 29
6%
OH 23
5%
WA 23
5%
PA 22
5%
FL 22
5%
IL 22
5%
VA 20
4%
MA 19
4%
WI 16
4%
NC 16
4%
GA 15
3%
MN 13
3%
CO 12
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188087
188187
1882123
1883126
1884167
1885188
1886192
1887262
1888316
1889352
1890417
1891485
1892541
1893564
1894684
1895814
1896870
1897942
18981,122
18991,061
19001,382
19011,183
19021,429
19031,439
19041,549
19051,661
19061,679
19071,858
19081,997
19092,105
19102,459
19112,522
19123,205
19133,567
19144,232
19155,342
19165,586
19175,839
19185,907
19195,856
19205,804
19215,968
19225,476
19235,464
19245,271
19254,992
19264,518
19274,240
19283,923
19293,574
19303,390
19312,844
19322,787
19332,410
19342,410
19352,243
19361,955
19371,987
19381,910
19391,778
19401,730
19411,665
19421,771
19431,756
19441,579
19451,358
19461,463
19471,465
19481,433
19491,340
19501,271
19511,283
19521,223
19531,095
19541,083
19551,038
19561,007
1957984
1958876
1959885
1960910
1961768
1962737
1963718
1964651
1965640
1966602
1967503
1968493
1969438
1970423
1971428
1972310
1973327
1974317
1975322
1976282
1977284
1978293
1979280
1980287
1981338
1982289
1983257
1984235
1985294
1986258
1987209
1988287
1989303
1990290
1991306
1992286
1993266
1994224
1995198
1996215
1997182
1998220
1999196
2000218
2001218
2002190
2003210
2004234
2005213
2006272
2007308
2008338
2009327
2010321
2011396
2012404
2013485
2014491
2015542
2016560
2017548
2018542
2019547
2020538
2021542
2022548
2023509
2024518