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Beau

Boy / Girl name · 417 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Beau: 417 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 28 births in 2024.

With French roots meaning "handsome" or "beautiful," Beau entered the English-speaking world as both a given name and a term for a dandy. The most famous historical bearer was Beau Brummell, the Regency-era arbiter of men's fashion whose influence is still felt in tailored menswear. In modern times, actor Beau Bridges has carried the name across decades of film and television. The name shares its etymological origin with Beaufort, a place name meaning "beautiful fortress" found in France and adopted in Scotland, the Carolinas, and beyond. While often used as a short form of Beauregard, Beau stands confidently on its own, and in recent years it has seen steady popularity in Scotland as a charming, single-syllable choice that feels both classic and fresh.