Holding steady.
Popularity of Betsi since 1944
Babies named Betsi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 19 |
| 1950s | 18 |
| 1960s | 40 |
| 1970s | 30 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 8 |
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Betsi, a spelling variant of Betsy, first appeared in U.S. records in 1944, making it a relatively recent addition to the pool of Elizabeth-related nicknames turned given names. Though it has never ranked in national top-1000 lists, it experienced its highest usage in 2006, when more girls were named Betsi than in any other year. Despite its low overall frequency, the name has enjoyed a stable trajectory in recent decades, with a slight uptick during the 2000s. Betsi remains a rare choice, a modern respelling of a classic diminutive that maintains the familiar sound of Betsy while offering a distinctive spelling.
Betsi is a variant spelling of Betsy, which itself originated as a diminutive of Elizabeth. Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath'. Betsy became an independent given name in the 18th century, and Betsi is a modern respelling that emerged in the mid-20th century, first recorded in the United States in 1944.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bet, Betty, Ettie
Sibling names for Betsi
Names that share Betsi's style, for a brother or sister.
