A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Bettie since 1880
Babies named Bettie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bettie's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,298 |
| 1890s | 1,357 |
| 1900s | 1,363 |
| 1910s | 3,245 |
| 1920s | 10,335 |
| 1930s | 8,936 |
| 1940s | 6,877 |
| 1950s | 3,176 |
| 1960s | 969 |
| 1970s | 322 |
| 1980s | 175 |
| 1990s | 82 |
| 2000s | 88 |
| 2010s | 107 |
| 2020s | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Bettie first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, when the Social Security Administration began tracking names. It enjoyed a peak in 1882, when it ranked highest in usage. After declining for much of the 20th century, the name has been rising again since 2004, though it remains uncommon. Despite never being among the top state favorites, Bettie retains a nostalgic charm as a vintage nickname for Elizabeth. Its recent revival aligns with a broader trend toward antique names, and it currently sees about 1 birth in every 160,727, reflecting its niche but enduring appeal.
Bettie is a diminutive of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning 'God is my abundance' or 'God is my oath'. The name Elizabeth was adopted into English via the Greek form Elisabet, and Bettie emerged as a pet form in the 19th century. It was particularly popular in the United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s, often used informally for girls named Elizabeth.
Where Bettie 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: Bet, Bets
Sibling names for Bettie
Names that share Bettie's style, for a brother or sister.
