This page brings together 43 female names that start with the letter B, running alphabetically from “Barbara” to “Bunny.” You’ll find a mix of timeless classics, vintage charmers, and fresh modern picks, all gathered in one easy place. Parents use lists like this to find baby name ideas, while writers, history fans, and curious readers explore the stories behind each one.
Female names are the given first names traditionally used to identify girls and women, shaped by culture, language, and family tradition. Many carry rich meanings drawn from nature, faith, or old languages like Greek, Latin, and Irish. For example, the name “Barbara” comes from a Greek word for “foreign,” and it was one of the most popular choices in mid-20th-century America.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows you the female name itself, listed in alphabetical order so you can quickly scan and find the one you want.
Origin: This tells you the language or culture a name comes from, helping you understand its roots and connect it to a heritage you love.
Meaning: This gives you the literal definition or idea behind the name, so you can choose one whose message truly speaks to you.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people who share the name, giving you real-world examples and a sense of the personality it carries.
Description: This offers a short, friendly summary of each name’s history and feel, helping you decide whether it fits the style you’re after.
Female names
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Famous Namesakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara | Greek | Foreign woman, stranger | Barbra Streisand, Barbara Walters |
| Beatrice | Latin | She who brings happiness | Beatrice of York, Dante’s muse Beatrice |
| Beatrix | Latin | Voyager, blessed | Beatrix Potter, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands |
| Belinda | Spanish/Germanic | Beautiful, bright serpent | Belinda Carlisle |
| Bella | Italian | Beautiful | Bella Hadid, Bella Thorne |
| Belle | French | Beautiful | Belle (Beauty and the Beast) |
| Bernadette | French | Brave as a bear | Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, Bernadette Peters |
| Bertha | Germanic | Bright, famous | Bertha Benz |
| Beryl | Greek | Sea-green gemstone | Beryl Markham |
| Bess | English | God is my oath | Bess Truman |
| Beth | Hebrew/English | House; God is my oath | Beth (Little Women) |
| Bethany | Aramaic | House of figs | Bethany Hamilton |
| Betsy | English | God is my oath | Betsy Ross |
| Bette | English | God is my oath | Bette Davis, Bette Midler |
| Bettina | Italian/German | God is my oath | Bettina von Arnim |
| Betty | English | God is my oath | Betty White, Betty Ford |
| Beulah | Hebrew | Married | Beulah Bondi |
| Beverly | English | Beaver stream | Beverly Sills |
| Bianca | Italian | White, pure | Bianca Jagger |
| Billie | English | Resolute protector | Billie Holiday, Billie Eilish |
| Birgit | Scandinavian | Exalted one | Birgit Nilsson |
| Blair | Scottish | Plain, field | Blair Brown |
| Blake | English | Black or pale | Blake Lively |
| Blanche | French | White, fair | Blanche DuBois |
| Blessing | English | Divine favor | Blessing Okagbare |
| Blossom | English | Flower, to bloom | Blossom (Powerpuff Girls) |
| Blythe | English | Happy, carefree | Blythe Danner |
| Bonnie | Scottish | Pretty, charming | Bonnie Raitt, Bonnie Parker |
| Brandy | Dutch/English | Burnt wine | Brandy Norwood |
| Bree | Irish | Strength, exalted | Bree Turner |
| Brenda | Norse | Sword, torch | Brenda Lee |
| Bria | Irish | Strong, virtuous | Bria Vinaite |
| Briana | Irish | Strong, virtuous, noble | Briana Scurry |
| Brianna | Irish | Strong, noble | Brianna (popular 90s name) |
| Bridget | Irish | Exalted one, strength | Bridget Bardot, Saint Brigid |
| Brigitte | French | Exalted one | Brigitte Bardot, Brigitte Macron |
| Britney | English | From Britain | Britney Spears |
| Brittany | English/French | From Brittany | Brittany Murphy |
| Bronwyn | Welsh | White breast, fair | Bronwyn Bancroft |
| Brooke | English | Small stream | Brooke Shields |
| Brooklyn | English | Broken land; borough name | Brooklyn Beckham |
| Bryony | Greek | To sprout, climbing vine | Bryony Hannah |
| Bunny | English | Little rabbit | Bunny Wailer (stage name) |
Descriptions
Barbara
A classic name rooted in the Greek word for “foreign,” it was hugely popular in the mid-20th century and remains tied to Saint Barbara, an early Christian martyr.
Beatrice
An elegant, literary name meaning “bringer of joy,” famously linked to the idealized woman in Dante’s Divine Comedy and a Shakespearean heroine.
Beatrix
A vintage variant of Beatrice with a crisp ending, beloved for its ties to author Beatrix Potter and Dutch royalty.
Belinda
A romantic, melodic name with uncertain roots, popularized in 18th-century poetry and pop music.
Bella
A short, sweet name meaning “beautiful,” often a nickname for Isabella but widely used on its own.
Belle
A charming French name meaning “beautiful,” made iconic by Disney’s bookish heroine.
Bernadette
A graceful feminine form of Bernard, strongly associated with the visionary saint of Lourdes.
Bertha
An old-fashioned Germanic name meaning “bright one,” carried by automotive pioneer Bertha Benz.
Beryl
A vintage botanical-gem name referring to the pale green precious stone, popular in early 20th-century Britain.
Bess
A homey diminutive of Elizabeth, evoking warmth and old-fashioned simplicity.
Beth
A gentle short form of Elizabeth, made memorable by the tender sister in Little Women.
Bethany
A soft, biblical place-name referring to a village near Jerusalem, popular for its lyrical sound.
Betsy
A folksy nickname for Elizabeth, forever tied to the seamstress credited with the first American flag.
Bette
A stylish diminutive of Elizabeth, immortalized by screen legend Bette Davis.
Bettina
A continental elaboration of Betty, lending an elegant, European flair.
Betty
A wholesome retro favorite for Elizabeth, beloved through stars like the long-lived Betty White.
Beulah
A biblical name from the Book of Isaiah symbolizing a blessed, peaceful land.
Beverly
A breezy place-name turned given name, fashionable in mid-century America.
Bianca
A luminous Italian name meaning “white,” featured in several Shakespeare plays.
Billie
A spirited, gender-crossing name made legendary by jazz singer Billie Holiday and pop star Billie Eilish.
Birgit
A Nordic form of Bridget, common across Scandinavia and tied to opera great Birgit Nilsson.
Blair
A sleek, unisex Scottish surname-name evoking open meadows.
Blake
A cool, modern unisex name with contradictory roots meaning both dark and fair.
Blanche
A delicate French name meaning “white,” carrying a vintage Southern elegance.
Blessing
A virtue name expressing gratitude and grace, popular in Nigeria and beyond.
Blossom
A cheerful nature name evoking spring flowers and new beginnings.
Blythe
An airy name meaning “joyful,” carried gracefully by actress Blythe Danner.
Bonnie
A sunny Scottish name meaning “pretty,” tied to both blues singer Bonnie Raitt and outlaw Bonnie Parker.
Brandy
A warm, spirited name borrowed from the liquor, peaking in popularity in the 1970s and 80s.
Bree
A short, breezy name derived from Brianna or Bridget, fresh and contemporary.
Brenda
A sturdy mid-century favorite of Norse origin, popularized by singer Brenda Lee.
Bria
A compact, modern feminine form of Brian, meaning strength and honor.
Briana
A graceful feminine form of Brian, popular for its strong yet melodic sound.
Brianna
A flowing feminine elaboration of Brian, a top American name in the 1990s.
Bridget
A storied Irish name tied to a beloved national saint and screen icon Brigitte Bardot.
Brigitte
A chic French form of Bridget, glamorized by actress Brigitte Bardot.
Britney
A pop-culture phenom of a name, forever linked to superstar Britney Spears.
Brittany
A 1980s and 90s sensation referring to the French region, breezy and youthful.
Bronwyn
A lyrical Welsh name traditionally given to girls, meaning “fair and pure.”
Brooke
A serene nature name meaning “stream,” elevated by model and actress Brooke Shields.
Brooklyn
A trendy place-name inspired by the New York borough, popular in the 2000s.
Bryony
A botanical English name referring to a wild climbing plant, delicate and uncommon.
Bunny
An endearing, playful pet-name evoking gentleness and cheer.