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Bellamy

♀ Girl

Pronounced BEL-uh-mee /ˈbɛl.ə.miː/High

Meaning: Good friend or beautiful companion; from Old French bel ami meaning beautiful friend or good friend, a surname used as a term of address for a dear companionHigh

In 30 seconds: Bellamy is an Old French surname meaning beautiful friend or good companion, brought to England by the Normans and now rising as a stylish three-syllable first name used for both boys and girls with a charming literary quality.
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Origin HighOld French
MeaningGood friend or beautiful companion; from Old French bel ami meaning beautiful friend or good friend, a surname used as a term of address for a dear companion
U.S. rank (2025)#797 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births341 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,742

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219932025

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

History & Origin

Bellamy derives from the Old French phrase bel ami, meaning beautiful friend or handsome companion. It entered England as a Norman surname after the Conquest of 1066. The same root gives the English word amiable (friendly) and French ami (friend). Bellamy also appears as a character name in English literature.

As a given name, Bellamy gained U.S. traction in the 21st century, influenced partly by the science-fiction series The 100, where Bellamy Blake was a central male character. The name is now used for both boys and girls, with a slight female lean in American usage. It offers the beloved Bella sound in a more unusual package.

Did you know? Edward Bellamy (1850-1898) wrote Looking Backward, an enormously influential utopian novel depicting a socialist America in the year 2000. The book inspired the formation of hundreds of Bellamy Clubs across the United States and shaped progressive political thought at the turn of the 20th century.
Overall data confidence 94%
Behind the Name — Bellamy — Old French etymology and Norman historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

BelamyBellamie

Nicknames

BellaBelBell

Famous Bearers

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If you like Bellamy…

Rosalie— same three-syllable French-origin feminine name with Bell- Bel- related warmth
Coralie— shares the three-syllable French -alie/-amie pattern
Amelie— same French origin and three-syllable flowing femininity
Natalie— fellow three-syllable French-influenced classic with warm sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Bellamy mean?

Bellamy means beautiful friend or good companion, from Old French bel ami.

How do you pronounce Bellamy?

It is said BEL-uh-mee, three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Bellamy a boy or girl name?

Bellamy is used for both boys and girls in the United States, with a slight lean toward girls in recent use.

Is Bellamy a rising name?

Yes, Bellamy has been rising in the United States and is popular among parents who love the Bella sound but want something more distinctive.