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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Love ‘Beau’ for a boy but what if he’s not handsome?

107 replies

Lincolnlemons · 16/08/2025 23:01

I’m pregnant with a baby boy and love the name Beau, feels chic without being pretentious. My only worry is that what if DS doesn’t grow up to be conventionally handsome? Feels like a gamble and possibly an opening for bullies when he’s in school? Am I being ridiculous?

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Original poster
Lincolnlemons · 17/08/2025 18:55

mmsnet · 17/08/2025 01:45

what an idiotic post

Why?

OP posts:
Original poster
Lincolnlemons · 17/08/2025 18:55

yonem · 17/08/2025 14:27

If you think it’s chic because of the French association really I think it’s the opposite - it implies you don’t speak French or visit France because it would be weird to use there. The word doesn’t just mean handsome by the way, avoir beau as an expression means there’s no point in doing something for example.

I don’t think it’s chic because it’s french, I think it’s chic because I think it’s chic? I’ve lived in France, doesn’t feel like a flex

OP posts:
HelloHattie · 17/08/2025 14:39

It doesn’t matter because even if he’s butters you’ll think he’s the most handsome boy ever. It’s a mum thing.

clotheslinefiasco · 17/08/2025 14:37

He might be a real minger and what then ?

🙀

MKDex · 17/08/2025 14:33

Nobody calls their kids this in france. I find it odd to use a foreign word for a name that isnt a thing in the root word's country.
It'd be like Michel and Sandrine Dupont calling their son Handsome Dupont.

BCBird · 17/08/2025 14:30

Only ever met one beau- was female, which confused me! I wouldn't worry about if he is handsome, he will be to you.

yonem · 17/08/2025 14:27

If you think it’s chic because of the French association really I think it’s the opposite - it implies you don’t speak French or visit France because it would be weird to use there. The word doesn’t just mean handsome by the way, avoir beau as an expression means there’s no point in doing something for example.

Sebora · 17/08/2025 14:16

The only Beau I know is a complete bell end so that skews my opinion.

if it’s any consolation, I had exactly the same thoughts with wanting to call my daughter Bonnie, and even said to my husband and mum what if she isn’t bonnie? 😆

AmyDuPlantier · 17/08/2025 13:40

The sound ‘bo’ is horrible.

HugoYorway · 17/08/2025 13:24

It's definitely not chic, it's naff. People seem to like it enough to use it.
Babies called Beau in England & Wales since 1996
I think it's awful as a girl's name.

MrsGusset · 17/08/2025 12:34

MollyButton · 17/08/2025 07:14

Well that’s why I ruled out all Virtue names. What if Joy is the most miserable person you know or Charity is the meanest?

I too am wary of virtue or descriptive names because they seem to require the child to fit the name rather than the other way around.

An irascible Patience, a stockily built Willow, or a rather large Wren could well think that Mummy & Daddy had been taking the mick. Same applies to poor old Beau if his facial features aren't all that.

CurlewKate · 17/08/2025 07:25

I think you’re right to think about this. Belle and Bella are well known names and I don’t think anyone would consider the meaning. Beau is unusual enough for people to ask about. And it will ALWAYS be being misspelled.

MollyButton · 17/08/2025 07:14

Well that’s why I ruled out all Virtue names. What if Joy is the most miserable person you know or Charity is the meanest?

Linenpickle · 17/08/2025 07:03

Sorry but it’s an awful name.

Pricelessadvice · 17/08/2025 06:50

A lot of people won’t know what it means. Never underestimate the general lack of intelligence of our population 😅

If you like the name, use it.

ClassicStripe · 17/08/2025 06:48

He will be the most handsome boy in the world to you!

PinkStarsandBlackWalls · 17/08/2025 06:18

Beau means absolutely nothing to huge swathes of the population. It’s a word in another language that they might learn for a couple of years and hear once. Obviously the people of Mumsnet are far superior to the usual British plebs and will disagree in fluent French but to many it’s just a nice sounding name. They won’t think oh, that kid isn’t handsome why did they call him that.

PhaseFour · 17/08/2025 06:11

Go with it if you like it OP. I think it's a lovely name for a boy. Although, when it comes to bullying, I've heard from my DCs that a Beau they knew did used to get teased by some classmates because the name can be associated with body odor, even if the spelling is BEAU.

I've never understood why people name girls Beau. I know it happens, but why would you want to call your daughter a name that means handsome? It sounds lovely, definitely, but I can't get past the French meaning of it for girls.

Dippythedino · 17/08/2025 05:01

The Beau I know isn't going to win any modelling contests l, he's a sweet kid but not the brightest either.

My favourite name so far belongs to a little toddler called Xavier. He's so cool!

TheGreatWesternShrew · 17/08/2025 02:35

Personally I think beau has gone the way of Leo and Teddy and become chavvy.

Eenameenadeeka · 17/08/2025 02:30

I'm sure you are going to think he is very handsome

Blondiney · 17/08/2025 02:04

Always thought Vogue Williams’ parents must’ve been incredibly confident.

Ymamiss · 17/08/2025 01:49

I have a Beau and whilst I love the name, it does get annoying when people can't pronounce it properly.
But I don't like BO (smelly pits anyone?)

mmsnet · 17/08/2025 01:45

what an idiotic post

BoleynMemories13 · 17/08/2025 01:31

Some people would look on this as a 'silly' worry, but I'd look on it as evidence that it's a silly name and one you'd be wise to avoid. I've never understood the appeal of calling your child something which literally means handsome. It's far from 'chic', it's a naff fad name. Plus it's really not a pleasant sound - 'boh'.

You're right that it has teasing potential ( 'BO' as well as the handsome thing). I'd avoid it, personally.