Bleu, the French word for “blue” and a direct descendant of the Latin caeruleus, entered English-speaking nurseries as a chic, gender-neutral choice that evokes the calm of Caribbean waters and the midnight vault of the sky. Its spelling distinguishes it from the more common Blue, giving the name an artisan patina reminiscent of French gastronomy—think fromage bleu—and high fashion labels that favor the hue for seaside-inspired collections. In the United States, Bleu first brushed the national charts in 1979 and has reappeared in small but steady waves, rising to 39 newborns in 2024 while hovering just inside the Top 900. Cultural references range from Pablo Picasso’s introspective “Blue Period” to contemporary pop lyrics that paint blue as both melancholy and hope, lending the name a versatile emotional palette. Parents who choose Bleu often cite its cool elegance, global readability, and subtle nod to creativity—qualities that allow this trim, one-syllable word to carry surprising depth.
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