Bea is the diminutive of Beatrice — from the Latin beatrix, meaning "she who brings happiness" or "blessed." Used independently since the 19th century.
Bea has been rising rapidly in the 2020s as part of the broader return to vintage diminutives. The actress Bea Arthur (The Golden Girls) and Bea Smith (Wentworth) are notable bearers.
Bea reduces to eight — the number of compact joy.