Bea Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Bea originates from the Latin word 'beatus,' meaning blessed or happy. It has evolved through various forms including Beatrix and Beatrice, reflecting a historical path of linguistic adaptation. The name carries positive traits and has no specific biblical relevance. In recent years, it has seen a rise in popularity due to its charm and simplicity.
The name Bea is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Bea has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Bea' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1441st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1652nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2509th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8765th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 21628th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 9219th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3257th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Bea' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Bea"
Pronunciation
/biː/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Bea is derived from the Latin word 'beatus,' which means 'blessed' or 'happy.' It is often used as a diminutive form of names such as Beatrice or Beatrix, which also carry connotations of happiness and blessedness.
Meaning
blessed, happy
Language Evolution
Beatrix (Latin), Beatrice (Old French), Bea (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Bea gained popularity in the 20th century as a standalone name, often reflecting a trend for shorter, simpler names. It has been embraced in various cultures and has a vintage charm.
Variants & Derivatives
Beatrice, Beatrix, Bee, Bia
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Bea is perceived as a charming and trendy name, often associated with a friendly and approachable personality. It has gained a modern resurgence, appealing to those looking for unique yet classic names.
Famous People
Bea Arthur, Bea Miller, Bea Smith (character from 'Wentworth')
Explore More Bea Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Bea"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Bea"
"Bea" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1441st of 9107 | 530 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1652nd of 9204 | 428 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2509th of 12526 | 385 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 8765th of 19264 | 62 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 21628th of 27321 | 13 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 9219th of 35406 | 179 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3257th of 30306 | 594 |
Regional Popularity of "Bea" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Bea" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
95.13% 1347th/1416 |
80.64% 1112th/1379 |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
85.06% 1315th/1546 |
100.00% 1556th/1556 |
- |
77.31% 1196th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
100.00% 2853rd/2853 |
100.00% 2775th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
100.00% 7313th/7313 |
66.02% 4927th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
93.17% 3712th/3984 |
63.34% 2842nd/4487 |
71.86% 4902nd/6822 |
45.03% 2826th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Bea"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Bea" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.