B for blessings, bears and bright beginnings
B began life as the Phoenician beth, a word for "house", and many B names still feel like a home: warm, solid and easy to say. The sound comes from closing both lips and releasing a burst of air, which gives names such as Ben, Bea and Bruno a friendly bounce.
A letter full of blessings
Look at the meanings in this list and a theme appears. Benjamin means "son of the right hand", Benedict means "blessed", and Beatrice and Beatrix both mean "she who brings happiness". Benedict comes from the Latin bene (well) and dicere (to speak), so "well spoken" came to mean "blessed". If you are looking for a name that carries good wishes, B is a generous place to start.
Strength is the second theme. Bernard means "brave as a bear" and Bruno carries "brown" and "armour". Bjorn is simply the Norse word for bear. These give B boy names a sturdy, protective feel that works well with a soft nickname such as Ben, Bernie or Bo.
Streams, thorns and ravens: the nature B names
English-speaking families have taken to nature and surname-style B names such as Brooke, Blake, Bailey, Briar and Brooks. The Welsh tradition is especially vivid, with Branwen ("beautiful raven"), Bronwen ("white breast"), Bryn (hill) and Bleddyn (wolf). Irish names add Brigid, Brenna and Brody, and the French contribute Beatrice, Baptiste and Benoit.
B names worth a closer look
- Branwen
A name from Welsh legend that pairs a gentle sound with a dramatic image.
- Bruno
A one-word hug of a name that suits a sturdy baby and a grown man alike.
- Briar
A unisex nature name with a wild, storybook feel.
- Beatrix
A bold, vintage take on a gentle meaning, with the nickname Bea ready to hand.
- Bodhi
A short name from the Sanskrit word for awakening, popular for children of any gender.
Famous people whose first names start with B
- Beyoncé, the singer, songwriter and performer
- Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States
- Billie Holiday, the jazz singer known for her emotional delivery
- Bob Marley, the reggae musician who brought the genre to the world
- Benjamin Franklin, the printer, scientist and statesman
- Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to earn a pilot's licence
- Bruce Lee, the martial artist and film star
Questions about B names
What are good nicknames for B names?
Benjamin becomes Ben or Benji, Beatrice becomes Bea, Bernard becomes Bernie, and Brigid becomes Bridie. Many B names also work as a short name on their own, such as Bo.
Which B names are Welsh?
Branwen, Bronwen, Bryn and Bleddyn all come from Wales. Bryn is the easiest to pronounce, and the others are pronounced much as they are spelled.