Bebe
A girl's name with 1,573 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name.
Bebe is a girl's baby name of French origin, from the French word bébé meaning 'baby.' It functions as both an affectionate nickname for any name starting with B and as a standalone name, popular in the early 20th century and enjoying a quiet revival.
Actress Bebe Neuwirth (Cheers, Frasier) gave this name sophisticated stage presence — Bebe is small in letters but enormous in charm.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Bebe is a girl's name with over a century of recorded use (1904–2024). American naming is uniquely syncretic — it borrows from dozens of traditions, invents freely, and recombines elements in ways that make strict etymological tracing difficult for many names.
Today, Bebe is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #13683), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bebe climbed 756 spots in the last 20 years — from #14439 to #13683.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 21 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 57 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 79 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | — |
| 1980s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 13 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 66 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 211 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 168 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 319 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 449 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 134 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 46 | — |
The Story of Bebe
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1932, Bebe is an elegant vintage name. Girls named Bebe are most likely born between 1922 and 1942.
How rare is Bebe?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Bebe — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1904, peaked in the 1920s with 449 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Bebe by the numbers
- Would fill 33 school buses
- Meeting one Bebe per day would take 4.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(85 years, 1904–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #13683 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12404 |
| 2020 | 8 | #11247 |
| 2018 | 8 | #11568 |
| 2016 | 7 | #13101 |
| 2015 | 10 | #10257 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10254 |
| 2013 | 6 | #14898 |
| 2012 | 9 | #11407 |
| 2010 | 7 | #13679 |
| 2009 | 7 | #13918 |
| 2008 | 9 | #11741 |
| 2007 | 12 | #9637 |
| 2006 | 6 | #15422 |
| 2005 | 12 | #8979 |
| 2004 | 6 | #14439 |
| 2003 | 14 | #7643 |
| 2001 | 5 | #15686 |
| 2000 | 8 | #10872 |
| 1999 | 5 | #14700 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bebe a boy's or girl's name?
When was Bebe most popular?
How popular is the name Bebe?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1904–2024