Name of the Week

 

A genteel and elegant name with a literary background 
and romantic Italian heritage.

 

Origin:

Beatrice is the medieval Italian form of the Late Latin name Beatrix. The -trix suffix is a feminiser in Latin, corresponding to the masculine -tor (aviator/aviatrix). Therefore, on the surface, Beatrix is the feminine form of Beator, from beatus "blessed, fortunate, happy." The etymological plot thickens however with 4th century saint, Beatrix, martyred during the reign of Diocletian after her brothers Simplicius and Faustinus were beheaded, whose name is also recorded as Viatrix.  Viatrix corresponds to the masculine name Viator, also borne by a 4th century saint,  which means "voyager, traveller" in Latin. As v and b were often interchanged in spoken Latin, it is quite likely that Viatrix became leniated to "Biatrix" and spelling influenced by beatus "blessed", used in many contexts in medieval Christianity, particularly in connection with saints.  The confusion with the origin has led to the oft-cited cod-etymology of "bringer of joy."

Usage:

Beatrice was popularly used in the 12th and 13th centuries around Europe, particularly in Italy. As a saint's name, it is found in fairly frequent usage in Britain up to the 18th century when it began to decline somewhat. It was revived by the Victorians and became a big hit again, most like due to the influence of the Pre-Raphaelite (as seen with Elaine, Lancelot and Ralph) and its literary associations.   In 1904 the name ranked #26; in 1914 it was #33, and the it fell out of the top 100 after 1924 when it sat at #52. It is now on the rise again. Back in 2001 the name ranked #271 with 143 births in England and Wales. It has been climbing ever since and as of 2010 the name now ranks #116 with 492 births.  In Scotland the name currently ranks #372.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Three saints have borne the name Beatrice: Beatrice of Nazareth (1200-1268), Beatrice d'Ornacieux (ca. 1240–1306/1309), and Beatrice da Silva  (1424–1492). * Beatrice d'Este (1192–1226) was an Italian noble woman who showed great political aptitude and took part in peace negotiations with France.  * Beatrice Webb (1858–1943) was a social reformer who founded the London School of Economics and Political Science. Literature: * Dante used the name Beatrice as his guide in the Divine Comedy, in the Vita Nuova, Paradiso, and in the last four canti of Purgatorio. His muse was Beatrice "Bice" di Folco Portinari (1266–1290). * Shakespeare used Beatrice for his strong-willed heroine in Much Ado About Nothing.  * Beatrice Hastings was the pen name of author Emily Alice Haigh.  Royalty: * Beatrice of Provence (1234-1267) was Queen consort of Sicily. Her mother, also called Beatrice, was countess of Provence.  * Beatrice de Dreux (1242-1275) was daughter of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence.  * Beatrice of Castile (1293-1359) was Queen consort of Portugal, and daughter of King Sancho IV of Castile.  * Beatrice of Naples (1476-1500) was Queen consort of Hungary.  * Princess Beatrice Mary Victoria Feodore (1857-1944) was daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  * Princess Beatrice Leopoldine Victoria (1884-1966) was daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. * Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary (1988) is daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Celeb-babies: * Beatrice Milly McCartney (2003) d. of Paul McCartney.  * Beatrice Sommer (2008) d. of Rich Sommer.

Variants:

Beatrix (Latin) Beatriz (Spanish) Betrys (French) Beitris (Scottish)

Pronunciation:

BEE-ə-triss (UK) bay-a-TREE-chay (Italy) [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Bea, Bebe, Bess, Betsy, Betty, Bibba, Bibby, Bree, Brita, Tess, Tressa, Tia, Trissy

Sibling Names:

Eleanor     Dorothy     Florence     Philippa     Constance     Josephine  Benedict    Theodore     Edmund      Julian      Frederick      Charles

Name Lists:

Rapid Risers   Upright Elegance   Medieval Favourites   Terrifically Tudor   Victorian Darlings   Royal   Shakespearean   Operatic Appellations

If you like Beatrice you may also like:   Matilda, Adelaide, Emmeline, Alice, Primrose, Charlotte, Louisa, Cecily, Alexandra, Sylvia