"God is my oath"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Betty
Pronunciation: [ b-EHT-ee ]
Does Betty flow with your last name?
America's sweetheart name — back with grandma chic
American
English
Vintage
Playful
Classic
Bold
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Betty
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Betty
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"my God is abundance"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Betty
See all →What the Betty report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Betty the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Betty
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Betty head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Betty actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Betty
Betty is a diminutive of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew 'Elisheba' (אֱלִישֶׁבַע), meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God is abundance.' Elizabeth was borne by Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist in the New Testament, making it sacred in Christian tradition. Betty emerged as an informal nickname in England during the 18th century and became a standalone name popular in 20th-century America. It peaked in the 1920s-40s as a quintessential American girl's name.
Betty was one of the top 5 most popular names in the US from 1928-1942. After decades of declining use, it is experiencing a 'grandma name' revival as parents rediscover classic American names. Betty White's death in 2022 sparked a wave of babies named Betty as a tribute.
Betty represents a distinctly mid-century American identity — evoked by Betty Crocker, Betty Boop, and Betty Draper from Mad Men. Betty White became a national treasure and cultural icon, giving the name a warm, enduring quality.
Historical Record
Betty first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 165,362 babies have been named Betty in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Betty is past its peak , currently ranked #1,009 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Betty White (1922-2021) was the longest-running Golden Girl and a beloved TV icon for over 80 years
- Betty Crocker, created by General Mills in 1921, was one of the first corporate mascots and shaped American home cooking
- After Betty White died on New Year's Eve 2021, searches for the baby name Betty surged 85%
Betty in Other Languages
French
Betty
Hebrew
Elisheba
Italian
Bettina
Spanish
Betty
Japanese
ベティ
Popularity Over Time
#1,009
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Betty
B
Betty Davis
Musician
1945
American funk pioneer and songwriter, married to Miles Davis, who influenced a generation of musicians
B
Betty White
Actor
1922
American actress and comedian, beloved star of The Golden Girls and one of TV's longest-running personalities
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,009
- Total SSA Count
- 253
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Bet
Bett
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Betty
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Betty fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Betty is also used as a boy name, ranked #17186.
View Betty as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Betty →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Betty with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Betty
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Betty and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Betty sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Wyatt
Girl
Norman French origin
"brave, hardy"
#1,195 in US
Libby
Girl
Hebrew (via Elizabeth) origin
"pledged to God, God is my oath"
#1,122 in US
Marian
Girl
Hebrew via Latin origin
"beloved, of the sea"
#1,150 in US
Teresa
Girl
Greek via Latin origin
"hunter"
#869 in US
Elia
Girl
Hebrew origin
"my God is Yahweh"
#840 in US
Ashly
Girl
Old English origin
"dweller near the ash trees"
#1,181 in US
Brylee
Girl
American invented origin
"strong clearing"
#1,016 in US
Rylan
Girl
Old English origin
"rye field"
#1,136 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Betty's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Betty
What does the name Betty mean?
"God is my oath" (from Hebrew). "my God is abundance" (from Hebrew). Betty is a diminutive of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew 'Elisheba' (אֱלִישֶׁבַע), meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God is abundance.' Elizabeth was borne by Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist in the New Testament, making it sacred in Christian tradition. Betty emerged as an informal nickname in England during the 18th century and became a standalone name popular in 20th-century America. It peaked in the 1920s-40s as a quintessential American girl's name.
What is the origin of the name Betty?
Betty has Hebrew, American, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is my oath". In Hebrew, it means "my God is abundance".
Is Betty a boy or girl name?
Betty is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1009. As a boy name, it is ranked #17186. Betty is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Betty?
Betty is pronounced b-EHT-ee.
How popular is the name Betty?
Betty is currently ranked #1009 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Betty?
Common nicknames for Betty include Bet and Bett.
What are good middle names for Betty?
Popular middle name pairings include Betty Jean, Betty Mae, Betty Lou, Betty Ann, Betty Jo, Betty Rae, and Betty Sue.
What are good sibling names for Betty?
Names that pair well with Betty as siblings include Archie, Hank, Mildred, Dot, Freddie, June, and Peggy.
How many syllables does Betty have?
Betty has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Betty a common or rare name?
Betty is an uncommon name, ranked #1009 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Betty
Betty is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "God is my oath" in Hebrew .
Is Betty a boy or girl name? Betty is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,009 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #17,186. Betty is more commonly used as a girl name.
Betty is currently ranked #1,009 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Betty has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-EHT-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Betty include Bet and Bett. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
B
Names Starting with B
More girl names like Betty
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis