Declining since 1985, #17 for girls today.
Popularity of Elizabeth since 1880
Babies named Elizabeth per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1990, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elizabeth's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 25,006 |
| 1890s | 33,879 |
| 1900s | 41,708 |
| 1910s | 116,811 |
| 1920s | 139,672 |
| 1930s | 96,480 |
| 1940s | 116,551 |
| 1950s | 165,656 |
| 1960s | 168,920 |
| 1970s | 142,845 |
| 1980s | 198,972 |
| 1990s | 172,693 |
| 2000s | 133,568 |
| 2010s | 94,103 |
| 2020s | 41,893 |
Meaning & origin
Elizabeth is a name with deep historical roots that has never fallen out of favor in the United States. In 2025, it held the rank of 17, given to roughly 1 in 238 newborn girls. Its peak year in terms of raw popularity was 1880, when it was among the absolute top names, and it experienced a trajectory of gradual decline since 1985, yet it remains firmly in the top 20. The name's enduring appeal is reflected in its widespread use across the country; the top states where Elizabeth is most common relative to population are Wyoming, District of Columbia, and Montana. While its earliest record in the U.S. Social Security data is 1880, Elizabeth has been a staple for centuries, borne by queens, saints, and countless notable women. Its timeless quality ensures that it continues to be a favorite, balancing tradition with a wide array of accessible nicknames.
Elizabeth originates from the Hebrew name Elisheva (אֱלִישֶׁבַע), composed of the elements 'el (God) and sheva (oath or seven, possibly denoting abundance). It appears in the Old Testament as the wife of Aaron, and in the New Testament as the mother of John the Baptist. The name was introduced to England via the Greek form Elisabet (Ἐλισάβετ) and became widespread in Europe, especially among royalty. Its use in England was cemented after the reign of Elizabeth I in the 16th century, and it has remained a consistently popular choice across the English-speaking world ever since.
Where Elizabeth 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.
“Elizabeth” around the world
Where Elizabeth lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
65
babies in 2024
Ireland
#76
in 2025
New Zealand
#61
in 2025
Quebec
#38
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#83
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Beth, Betty, Liz, Lizzie, Liza, Eliza, Bess, Bessie, Betsy
Sibling names for Elizabeth
Names that share Elizabeth's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Catherine, Margaret, Anne, Mary, Eleanor, Alexandra, Hillary, Jacqueline, Jane, Jeannette, Joanna, Katharine, Katherine, Kathryn, Patricia, Sarah, Teresa, Theresa, Victoria, Alexandrea, Annamarie, Carolynn, Catharine, Cathrine, Cathryn, Janette, Jannette, Katheryn, Kathrine, Kathryne, Margarette, Mariann, Maribeth, Marry, Maryanne, Marybeth, Maryellen, Maryjane, Nanci, Sarabeth, Susanna, Susannah, Suzanna, Abigael, Annmarie, Catheryn, Christeen, Cristine, Janeth, Janett, Joannie, Johna, Katharyn, Katherin, Katheryne, Kathyrn, Magdalen, Margarett, Margarite, Maryalice, Maryanna, Marye, Maryelizabeth, Marygrace, Marykate, Marylouise, Terresa, Anjeanette, Anmarie, Catherin, Catherina, Cathern, Graceann, Janneth, Joane, Joannah, Josepha, Katerine, Katherene, Kathren, Magalene, Margeret, Marycatherine, Maryclaire, Maryfrances, Maryhelen, Marykathryn, Sarahann, Windsor, Annamary, Annet, Catheryne, Cathryne, Chirstina, Christe, Dianah, Emmajane, Gracemarie, Hannahmarie, Jackquelyn, Jacoba, Jannet, Josephene, Judithann, Kathalene, Katherina, Kathlean, Leslieann, Margaretann, Margareth, Margaretmary, Marrianne, Maryclare, Marykatherine, Marymargaret, Maryrose, Maryruth, Meganne, Saraann, Teresea, Theresea, Christee, Marialice, Sarahmarie, Thresea, Alyssabeth, Anniebell, Cahterine, Caterin, Catherene, Christiona, Dorothia, Dorothyann, Elynore, Jennet, Jenniferann, Kateline, Kateryn, Kathreen, Kathrene, Khristin, Lizbett, Magdelene, Nickola, Ruthmary, Therasa, Therisa, Thersea
Brothers: William, Henry, Charles, James, Edward, Andrew, Christopher, Donald, John, Johnathon, Johnie, Joseph, Matthew, Michael, Nathanael, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Paul, Peter, Philip, Phillip, Richard, Stephan, Stephen, Chistopher, Christpher, Garret, Geoffrey, Joesph, Johnpaul, Nathanial, Samual, Stewart, Zebedee, Zechariah, Benjaman, Benjamine, Christoper, Douglass, General, Jerimiah, Joeseph, Johnmichael, Jonpaul, Jospeh, Keneth, Matthews, Willaim, Wm, Zacharia, Zacharias, Andreus, Andrews, Anthany, Christapher, Christien, Christipher, Christophor, Domnick, Donnald, Geoffry, Hansford, Johnanthony, Johnluke, Johnmark, Johnn, Jonothan, Kennieth, Michaelanthony, Nathaneal, Nathaneil, Purcell, Richrd, Rickard, Thomes, Zacheriah, Anothony, Christepher, Christerpher, Christropher, Chritopher, Eliakim, Hristopher, Johnjoseph, Jonatha, Josph, Kenneith, Khristopher, Michaeljohn, Nathanuel, Nethaniel, Ricahrd, Richad, Richar, Ricke, Robertson, Samuell, Timathy, Willim, Zacariah, Anthonyjames, Chrsitopher, Jathniel, Jebadiah, Kinneth, Alexanderjames, Andrewjames, Chrisotpher, Christianjames, Christophere, Davidjames, Davidlee, Johnchristopher, Johndaniel, Johnrobert, Jonanthony, Jonh, Joshual, Meliodas, Nathanyal, Nathanyl, Paulanthony, Sircharles, Thomos, Thos
Names like Elizabeth
Names whose popularity has moved with Elizabeth's over the last 50 years.
