Bijou as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Bijou

What is the meaning of the name Bijou ?

The baby name Bijou is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced English: BEE-zhoo (IPA: /ˈbiːʒuː/); French: bee-ZHOO (IPA: /bi.ʒu/).

Bijou is French in Origin.

Bijou (pronounced bee-ZHOO) is a French word-name meaning “jewel.” It entered French from Breton bizou “ring,” ultimately from biz “finger,” and has long denoted a small, finely crafted treasure. In English it also became an adjective - “a bijou cottage” - carrying connotations of charm and compact elegance.

Used as a given name since the late 19th century, Bijou appeared first in stage circles and society columns, then resurfaced sporadically through the 20th century. A modest uptick in Anglophone use during the 1990s–2000s, aided by actress Bijou Phillips, positioned it as a rare, bohemian choice. It remains uncommon in France, where it feels more like a term of endearment. Unisex in theory but now mostly feminine. Variants and related forms include Bizou (alt. spelling), the occasional Bijoux, nicknames Bibi and Jo; meaning-equivalents are Gemma, Jewel, Gema, and Joya.