How to say it
BEAU
boʊ
Masculine
Beau
Handsome, beautiful
What it means
French for 'beautiful' or 'handsome,' the masculine form (the feminine is belle). Used as an English nickname for dandies and gentlemen since the 18th century before becoming a given name.
Beau is the French masculine adjective for 'beautiful, handsome.' In English it became a nickname for dandies and well-dressed gentlemen in the 18th century (Beau Brummell, the Regency-era arbiter of male style, gave the name its definitive cultural anchor). As a first name in the US, Beau has surged since the 2010s, particularly in Southern families. Joe Biden's late son Beau (1969-2015) lent it political resonance. Single syllable, no nickname needed.
How to spell Beau
The standard spelling is Beau. Common variants include Bo, but Beau is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #60 in 2025, currently #60 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Joe Biden's eldest son Beau (1969-2015), the Delaware attorney general, gave the name modern American political weight.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Beau Brummell Regency-era English dandy whose style set the template for the modern men's suit
- Beau Biden Delaware Attorney General, Joe Biden's eldest son, 1969-2015
- Beau Bridges American actor, Jeff Bridges's older brother
Spelling variants
- Bo
Names with the same feeling
See Beau from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Beau mean?
- French for 'beautiful' or 'handsome,' the masculine form (the feminine is belle). Used as an English nickname for dandies and gentlemen since the 18th century before becoming a given name.
- What does Beau mean in French?
- In French, Beau means "Handsome, beautiful." Beau is the French masculine adjective for 'beautiful, handsome.' In English it became a nickname for dandies and well-dressed gentlemen in the 18th century (Beau Brummell, the Regency-era arbiter of male style, gave the name its definitive cultural anchor). As a first name in the US, Beau has surged since the 2010s, particularly in Southern families. Joe Biden's late son Beau (1969-2015) lent it political resonance. Single syllable, no nickname needed.
- How do you pronounce Beau?
- Beau is pronounced boʊ. Say it as BEAU, with the stress on the "beau" syllable.
- How do you spell Beau?
- The standard spelling is Beau. Common spelling variants include Bo.
- Is Beau a boy or girl name?
- Beau is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Beau?
- Beau ranked #60 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.