Favourite spelling of the name Beau

[mummarichardson]

Just found out we are having a girl, our favourite name is Beau but I am stuck on the spelling as since Beau has become more popular as I know a few boys called Beau and that spelling feels more like a boys name to me.

I really like Bo but husband hates the fact that when she spells it, she will have to say B O as in 'I have bad BO'. Do get his point to be fair.

Then there is Bow but to me that just looks like an object rather than a name.

Which do you think is best?

[saritah]

As a French speaker I think Beau sounds pretty odd, as it's mainly used as a masculine adjective (e.g. un beau bébé). French lessons/holidays could be interesting. Up to you though, obviously!

[daisypond]

If it helps, in the TV series Black-ish, the mum is called Rainbow - and Bow for short.

[TidyDancer]

I know a girl called Beaux. There were several raised eyebrows when the parents announced the name. Apparently the X at the end makes it cuter.

What doesn't help matters is that the surname begins with O as well....

[LapinR0se]

Bo means cow in Irish. When I see the word I just see "cow".

[NinonDeLenclos]

I've heard it used here - it's only a joke though.

[GaucheCaviar]

Ok fairs dos Ninon. Where is it used?

And Roberta and Norbert? Wow. Top naming skillz.

[GaucheCaviar]

Ok fairs dos Ninon. Where is it used?

And Roberta and Norbert? Wow. Top naming skillz.

[NinonDeLenclos]

PPs were right that 'beau jean' is slang for blow job, it's just not French slang.

[Ontopofthesunset]

Oh, OK, I'd forgotten and am showing my international blow job innocence...

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

I had a lovely Aunt Bo, real name Roberta. Mind you, her brother was my Uncle Nobby, short for Norbert, so not sure it’s a good recommendation

[WanderingTrolley1]

Please don't call your daughter Beau. Or Bo (for christsake)!

[BIWI]

You might as well call her Dave.

[early30smum]

I know two girls called Beau, one with this spelling and one with the Bo spelling. I also know a boy Beau. To me, Bo looks wrong. I'm not a huge fan of the name anyway, but if I had to use it for a girl I'd spell it Beau.

[GaucheCaviar]

No, someone asked a bit upthread if Beau meant BJ. There are lots of words for a BJ in French naturellement but that's not one of them.

[melonribenia]

Boleyn? Nn Bo

[Ontopofthesunset]

I think it was Pippa that someone said meant BJ, not Bo.

[DueNov]

My dog is named bo so it's a no from me. If I had to choose I'd say beau

[GaucheCaviar]

Isabeau is not just a French name it's a MASSIVELY POSH French name so I vote you use it just to piss off the people who are casting aspersions on your intelligence OP [grin ] and no it's not pronounced Ishbel and no beau doesn't mean BJ!

[Liadain]

The pet "semetary" comment says it all.

Laughing at this comment...I assume you know Pet Sematary is a well known Stephen King book, right?

[stellarfox]

What about Bonnie nicknamed Bo?

[bellabelly]

Bella?

[Sophronia]

Isabeau with Beau for short?

[existentialmoment]

The steamed bun (bao) is pronounced in a different tone and sounds completely different to native speakers

I know that and you know that, but I think those who think Beau is a nice girls name do not know that!

[TatianaLarina]

Boux wouldn't be Bo it would be Boo

And boue is French for mud.

[TatianaLarina]

Iseabeau is a lovely name, but it's pronounced Ishbel. So Bo would be a very weird nickname for it.

No it's not. It's a French medieval name, pronounced 'Isa bo' as in Mirabeau.

In fact Mirabeau is another idea to retain the 'beau' without appearing illiterate.