Bea
/biː/noun
A feminine given name, usually a short form of Beatrice or Beatrix.
Did you know?Beatrice became especially associated with spiritual guidance through Dante’s *Divine Comedy*, where Beatrice leads the poet toward divine vision.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dew-
“To do, perform, or make effective; a proposed root connected with Latin forms meaning to bless or make happy.”
Classical Latin
Latin
beatus
“Blessed, fortunate, happy, or prosperous.”
Late Latin
Latin
Beatrix
“A feminine personal name interpreted as “she who makes happy” or “blessed.””
Medieval Latin
Latin
Beatrice
“A form of Beatrix used as a woman’s name, especially in Christian Europe.”
Middle English
English
Beatrice
“A feminine given name adopted from French and Latin forms.”
Modern English
English
Bea
“A familiar short form of Beatrice or Beatrix.”
Explore more surprising origins