Beauvoir

Beauvoir is a French surname and toponym. As a toponym it appears in several locations in France and in Francophone regions, typically indicating a place associated with a scenic or pleasant view. As a surname it is borne by individuals of French origin, including Simone de Beauvoir.

Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) was a French existentialist philosopher, writer, and feminist. A central figure in 20th-century thought, she authored The Second Sex (1949), a foundational text in feminist philosophy, and contributed to existentialist ethics, political thought, and biography. Her work helped shape discussions of gender, freedom, and the construction of identity, and she remains a major influence in philosophy and gender studies.

Beyond the philosopher, the name Beauvoir appears in various French place names and in family names. In French usage, de Beauvoir may indicate genealogical or noble origins in some cases, although many bearers use Beauvoir as a straightforward surname. Because Beauvoir can refer to people, places, or historical contexts, sources often require disambiguation to identify the intended reference.