A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Bette since 1896
Babies named Bette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 15 |
| 1900s | 108 |
| 1910s | 2,288 |
| 1920s | 13,273 |
| 1930s | 7,389 |
| 1940s | 7,034 |
| 1950s | 3,438 |
| 1960s | 890 |
| 1970s | 181 |
| 1980s | 99 |
| 1990s | 45 |
| 2000s | 17 |
| 2010s | 65 |
| 2020s | 55 |
Meaning & origin
Bette first appeared in U.S. records in 1896, but its golden era was the 1920s, when it peaked at rank 10917 in 1923. After decades of decline, the name has been rising again since 2005, though it remains uncommon, given to roughly 1 in 200,908 babies in 2025. Its revival reflects a broader trend of resurrecting vintage short-form names. While Bette is still a low-frequency choice, its trajectory suggests a quiet comeback among parents seeking a succinct, mid-century feel without overt trendiness.
Bette originated as a diminutive or nickname for Elizabeth or Beatrice, though it has been used as an independent given name since the 19th century. The name saw particular popularity in the United States during the 1920s, partly influenced by the actress Bette Davis. As a short form, it shares the etymological roots of its longer parent names: Elizabeth from Hebrew Elisheva ('God is my oath') and Beatrice from Latin Viatrix ('voyager, traveler'), later influenced by 'beatus' ('blessed').
Where Bette 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
Sibling names for Bette
Names that share Bette's style, for a brother or sister.
