The name Beau means "handsome" in French. The word "beau" was also used with the meaning "sweetheart" in the 19th century.
This name appeared in P. C. Wren's adventure novel Beau Geste (1924) and Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind (1936), so
this may explain the popularity of the name in the 20th century. It is now also used as a feminine name.
Famous bearers
Bearers include Beau Brummell (1778 - 1840), an English male socialite and a friend of the Prince Regent, the future King George IV;
Beau Bridges (born 1941), an American male actor.
