NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Bebe

A French-derived feminine name meaning "baby" or "infant".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Bebe is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Bebe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3318, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 20 births.

This profile covers 223 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1999 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 35% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 222 living people in the UK are called Bebe. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Bebe ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2010, when 20 girls were registered as Bebe.
  • About 222 living people in the UK are estimated to have Bebe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3318

2024

Births in 2024

7

Latest year

Peak year

2010

20 births

Estimated living

222

2026

Meaning

What does Bebe mean?

The given name Bebe has its origins in French, derived from the Old French word "bebe" meaning "baby" or "toddler." This term traces its roots back to the late 15th century when it was first recorded in written form. It is believed to have evolved from the repetitive babbling sounds made by infants, which eventually became associated with the concept of a young child.

In its early usage, Bebe was primarily a nickname or term of endearment for young children, rather than a formal given name. However, over time, it gradually transitioned into a standalone name, particularly popular among French-speaking communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of Bebe as a given name can be found in the 17th century with Bebe Mavra, a French noblewoman born in 1632. She was a prominent figure at the court of King Louis XIV and is known for her patronage of the arts and literary salons.

Another notable figure bearing the name Bebe was Bebe Moore Campbell, an American author and teacher born in 1950. She gained recognition for her novels exploring themes of race, family, and social issues, including "Your Blues Ain't Like Mine" and "What You Owe Me." Campbell passed away in 2006.

In the realm of entertainment, Bebe Neuwirth, born in 1958, is a renowned American actress and dancer. She is best known for her portrayal of Lilith Crane on the television series "Cheers" and "Frasier," for which she won two Emmy Awards.

The name Bebe also has historical ties to the world of fashion. Bebe Daniels, born in 1901, was an American actress, singer, and producer who became a fashion icon during the silent film era. Her distinctive style and penchant for wearing beaded dresses and elaborate headpieces influenced fashion trends of the 1920s.

In the field of music, Bebe Rexha, born in 1989, is a contemporary American singer-songwriter known for hits like "Meant to Be" and "I'm a Mess." Her unique blend of pop and hip-hop has garnered her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.

While the name Bebe is commonly associated with French origins, it has also been adopted and used in various cultures around the world, each with its own unique interpretation and significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Bebe over time

The chart below shows babies named Bebe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Bebe, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 20 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Bebe
05101520199920112024

Decades

Bebe by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Bebe was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3280 38 5
2010s #2433 110 10
2000s #2553 72 8
1990s #3900 3 1

Related

Names similar to Bebe

FAQ

Bebe: questions and answers

How popular is the name Bebe in the UK right now?

In 2024, Bebe was ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.

When was Bebe most popular?

The peak year on record was 2010, with 20 babies registered as Bebe in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Bebe?

A French-derived feminine name meaning "baby" or "infant".

How many people are called Bebe in the UK?

A total of 223 babies have been registered as Bebe across the 24 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.