Beau vs William

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Beau

Boy #69 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"handsome, beautiful"

Origin: French

Cultural Roots

American French British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#69
Total SSA Count
4,694
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Beau' can be twisted to 'bo'"}

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William

Boy #10 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"resolute protector, strong-willed guardian"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#10
Total SSA Count
10,596
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Will, Bill, Billy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for William →

Popularity Comparison

Beau Rank #69
William Rank #10

William is more popular, ranked #10 vs #69 for Beau.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Beau ___

  • Beau James
  • Beau Alexander
  • Beau William
  • Beau Thomas
  • Beau Harrison
  • Beau Charles

William ___

  • William James
  • William Thomas
  • William Henry
  • William Alexander
  • William Edward
  • William Charles

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Beau

Colt Brooks Briar Scarlett Willa

If you choose William

Charlotte Eleanor Amelia Olivia Henry

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beau or William more popular?

William is more popular, ranked #10 compared to Beau at #69 in the United States.

What do Beau and William mean?

Beau means "handsome, beautiful" (French origin). William means "resolute protector, strong-willed guardian" (Germanic origin).

Are Beau and William boy or girl names?

Beau is primarily a boy name. William is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Beau ← Full profile: William Browse all baby names