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Bellamy

♂ Boy

Pronounced BEL-ah-mee /ˈbɛl.ə.mi/High

Meaning: From the Old French bel ami (beautiful friend or fine friend), from bel (beautiful, fine) and ami (friend); an affectionate term that became an English surname and, more recently, a stylish given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Bellamy means 'fine friend' in Old French — a warm, optimistic meaning wrapped in a three-syllable name with a lovely sound. Truly unisex, it has been rising for both boys and girls and carries an elegant literary air.
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Origin HighOld French
MeaningFrom the Old French bel ami (beautiful friend or fine friend), from bel (beautiful, fine) and ami (friend); an affectionate term that became an English surname and, more recently, a stylish given name
U.S. rank (2025)#721 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births374 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,008

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202120142025

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

History & Origin

Bellamy is an Old French compound meaning 'beautiful friend' (bel ami). As an English surname it was used in England and France from the medieval period. As a given name it appeared occasionally in the 19th century and has gained significant popularity in the 21st century.

Bellamy began rising as a given name in the United States in the 2010s, used for both boys and girls. It appears in the TV show The 100 as the male character Bellamy Blake, which broadened its recognition. Its lovely meaning and melodious sound make it appealing across gender lines.

Did you know? Edward Bellamy, the American author of the utopian novel Looking Backward (1888), brought the surname Bellamy significant literary prestige. His vision of a cooperative future society influenced progressive political thought on both sides of the Atlantic.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Bellamy — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

BelamyBellami

Nicknames

BellBelAmy

Famous Bearers

  • ★Edward Bellamy (1850–1898)
    American author of the utopian novel Looking Backward (1888).

If you like Bellamy…

Emory— shares the three-syllable surname-name elegance and unisex contemporary appeal
Montgomery— fellow multi-syllable Old French/Norman surname with historic gravitas
Courtenay— shares the Old French origin and the same sophisticated surname-name quality
Mercury

Frequently Asked

What does the name Bellamy mean?

Bellamy means 'fine friend' or 'beautiful friend' from Old French bel ami, combining bel (beautiful) and ami (friend).

How do you pronounce Bellamy?

Bellamy is pronounced BEL-ah-mee /ˈbɛl.ə.mi/ — three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Bellamy a boy or girl name?

Bellamy is genuinely unisex and is used for both boys and girls in the United States.

Is Bellamy a popular name?

Bellamy has been rising steadily in the U.S. since the 2010s, appealing to parents who want an elegant, literary-sounding unisex name.