Betty

Pronunciation: [ b-EHT-ee ]

Girl Name #1,009 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

America's sweetheart name — back with grandma chic

American English

Vintage Playful Classic Bold Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"God is my oath"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"my God is abundance"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Betty

Betty Davis

Musician

1945

American funk pioneer and songwriter, married to Miles Davis, who influenced a generation of musicians

Betty White

Actor

1922

American actress and comedian, beloved star of The Golden Girls and one of TV's longest-running personalities

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

Pairs Well With

Betty Jean Betty Mae Betty Lou Betty Ann Betty Jo Betty Rae Betty Sue

Sibling Names

Archie Hank Mildred Dot Freddie June Peggy

Also a Boy Name

Betty is also used as a boy name, ranked #17186.

View Betty as a boy name →

Similar Names

Beatrice Phoebe Thea Seth Beatrix Beth Svea Beatriz

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.