© MASON POOLE
Beyoncé is Beyoncé, and there could only be one Queen Be. Even in her songs, she describes herself as “one of one” and “number one,” fixing her status as the best in her field. France’s Petit Larousse Illustrated dictionary has now added Beyoncé’s name to its pages, defining her as an “American singer of R&B and pop.”
The 2024 edition of the renowned French encyclopedia includes over 150 new entries. Beyoncé is among 40 international figures joining its ranks, such as Cate Blanchett, LeBron James, and Christopher Nolan. According to the dictionary’s leadership, the additions reflect notable people and topics that shaped the global discourse this year.
Beyoncé’s moniker has French roots tracing back to her mother Tina Knowles. As a homage to her family heritage, Knowles gave her daughter her maiden name which was misspelled on birth documents as “Celestine Beyoncé.” Knowles recounted challenges affirming her name at birth due to racial inequities of the time. While Beyoncé’s Creole grandfather disapproved of altering the ancestral surname, she has undoubtedly done justice to the name through her legendary career.
