The Meaning of the Name Béatrice
Béatrice is a French name derived from the Latin Beatrix, which means “she who brings happiness”. The name has been popular in France since the Middle Ages and is still widely used today. It is also found in other countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Romania.
History of the Name
The name Béatrice first appeared in literature in Dante Alighieri’s epic poem Divine Comedy. In the poem, Béatrice is a beautiful woman who guides Dante through Heaven and Hell. She is seen as an ideal of beauty and virtue, and her name has become synonymous with these qualities.
In the 19th century, the name was popularized by French author Honoré de Balzac, who wrote a novel about a woman named Béatrice. The novel was so successful that it helped to make the name even more popular.
Popularity of the Name
Today, Béatrice is still a very popular name in France. According to data from 2018, it was ranked as the 44th most popular female baby name in France. It is also popular in other countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Romania.
Famous People Named Béatrice
There are many famous people who have borne the name Béatrice throughout history. These include:
- Béatrice de Planissoles (13th century), French noblewoman
- Béatrice de Clervaux (14th century), French noblewoman
- Béatrice d’Este (15th century), Italian noblewoman
- Béatrice de Provence (16th century), French queen consort
- Béatrice Lillie (1894-1989), Canadian actress and singer
- Béatrice Dalle (born 1964), French actress