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Beatrice

♀ Girl

Pronounced BEE-uh-tris /ˈbiːətrɪs/High

Meaning: From the Latin Beatrix, derived from beatus (blessed, happy) + the agentive suffix -trix, meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed traveler'High

In 30 seconds: Beatrice is a grand, literary name of Latin origin, immortalized by Dante as his celestial guide through Paradise. Vintage yet timeless, it has staged a confident 21st-century revival.
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Origin HighLatin, Italian
MeaningFrom the Latin Beatrix, derived from beatus (blessed, happy) + the agentive suffix -trix, meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed traveler'
U.S. rank (2025)#508 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births583 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 194,914

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Beatrice comes from the Latin Beatrix, meaning 'she who brings happiness.' The name was borne by numerous medieval saints and was popularized across Europe by Dante's Divina Commedia (c. 1320), where Beatrice symbolizes divine love and theological wisdom. Shakespeare used the name for the witty heroine of Much Ado About Nothing.

Beatrice was popular in England through the medieval and Victorian eras, declining mid-20th century, then rising again in the 21st century. Princess Beatrice of York (daughter of Prince Andrew) has maintained the name's aristocratic profile. In the U.S. it has climbed back steadily since 2010.

Did you know? Dante Alighieri's Beatrice — modeled on his lifelong muse Beatrice Portinari — guides the poet through Paradise in the Divine Comedy, making the name one of the most celebrated in all of Western literature.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Beatrice — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

BeatrixBeaTrixieBéatrice

Nicknames

BeaBebeTrixie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Beatrice Portinari (1265–1290)
    Florentine noblewoman, muse and subject of Dante Alighieri's poetry.
  • ★Princess Beatrice of York (1988–present)
    British princess, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.

If you like Beatrice…

Eleanor— equally grand, literary, and three-syllable with the same vintage revival arc
Cecelia— shares the Latin heritage, three syllables, and elegant vintage feel
Rosalind— another Shakespearean heroine name with the same literary romance
Matilda— vintage three-syllable classic in the same revival wave

Frequently Asked

What does the name Beatrice mean?

Beatrice comes from Latin Beatrix, meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed traveler,' rooted in beatus meaning 'blessed.'

How do you pronounce Beatrice?

It is said BEE-uh-tris — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Beatrice a boy or girl name?

Beatrice is used exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Beatrice?

Beatrice has been rising in the U.S. since the 2010s and ranked in the top 500 girls' names by the mid-2020s.