A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Bessie since 1880
Babies named Bessie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bessie's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 15,373 |
| 1890s | 24,417 |
| 1900s | 23,984 |
| 1910s | 33,859 |
| 1920s | 32,158 |
| 1930s | 18,035 |
| 1940s | 11,062 |
| 1950s | 5,942 |
| 1960s | 2,592 |
| 1970s | 1,207 |
| 1980s | 749 |
| 1990s | 386 |
| 2000s | 180 |
| 2010s | 109 |
| 2020s | 87 |
Meaning & origin
Bessie is a vintage diminutive of Elizabeth that peaked in popularity in 1889, ranking as high as 29th in the U.S. that year. After a long decline, the name has seen a modest resurgence since 2010, with rankings gradually rising from obscurity. In 2025, Bessie ranked 6,838, with about 1 in 100,454 girls receiving the name. Its revival is part of a broader trend of reclaiming old-fashioned nicknames, though it remains uncommon compared to its prime. Top states for usage in recent years are not concentrated, but the name appears sporadically across the country.
Bessie originated as a pet form of Elizabeth, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning 'God is abundance' or 'God is my oath.' The name Elizabeth was borne by the mother of John the Baptist in the New Testament, contributing to its widespread use in Christian cultures. Bessie emerged as a common nickname in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Where Bessie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bess, Bessy
Sibling names for Bessie
Names that share Bessie's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maggie, Annie, Sadie, Mae, Lillie, Mattie, Addie, Dollie, Floy, Jetta, Mittie, Aggie, Carry, Collie, Argie, Besse, Bonna, Clydia, Crissie, Dellie, Doll, Gillie, Marrie, Perlie, Sallye, Tinnie, Merlie, Missie, Nicie, Pairlee, Pearlee, Willye, Wilsie, Bitha, Epsie, Eunie, Lealer, Walsie
Brothers: Willie, Johnnie, Freddie, Eddie, Tommy, Al, Algie, Odis, Robie, Alvie, Ossie, Billey, Haskel, Dewie, Olney, Burlie, Bubber, Curly, Jhonnie
