Beatrice
Beatrice comes from the Latin "beatus," meaning blessed or happy. The name means "she who brings happiness" or "bringer of joy." It has been in use since ancient Rome, but its literary identity was set by Dante, who dedicated his "Vita Nova" and the Divine Comedy to Beatrice Portinari, the Florentine woman he loved from afar. She is his guide through Paradise. In English literature, Beatrice is the witty, sharp-tongued heroine of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" — the woman who vows never to marry until she meets her match in Benedick. The name has carried that literary-intellectual charge ever since. Beatrice Potter Webb (co-founder of the London School of Economics) and Beatrice Hitchman (novelist) extended the name's brainy reputation. I find Beatrice beautiful but slightly heavy. The "B" opening gives it weight, and the "tr" cluster in the middle gives it a slightly archaic texture. The nickname Bea is one of the great short forms in English — three letters, warm and lively. Beatrice entered the US top 1000 again in 2009 after a long absence and is climbing slowly. Beatrice is a female name of Latin origin that means "She who brings happiness (from beatus)". Literary, sharp-witted, and warm. The name sounds like someone who reads. Beatrices tend to be clever and direct. Re-entered US top 1000 in 2009. Now top 600. Well-known people named Beatrice include Beatrice Portinari (Dante's muse), Beatrice Webb (economist), Beatrice Arthur (actress), Beatrice (Shakespeare character). Common variations and related forms of Beatrice include Béatrice (French), Beatriz (Spanish/Portuguese), Beatrix (Latin/Dutch), Bea (nickname).