Bessie
Bessie is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is my oath.
Origin and history
Bessie originated as a diminutive of Elizabeth, which comes from the Hebrew name Elisheba meaning 'God is my oath'. Although historically far more common for females, it appeared as a given name for males in early U.S. birth records. Today, it is rarely given as a masculine primary name in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
737 babies in the United States have been named Bessie since 1880. It ranks #3939 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- AL (100 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 58 |
| 1890-1900 | 74 |
| 1900-1910 | 93 |
| 1910-1920 | 132 |
| 1920-1930 | 189 |
| 1930-1940 | 147 |
| 1940-1950 | 39 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Fun facts
- Although primarily used for females, Bessie recorded over 700 male births in the United States since 1880, largely during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- The name originally developed in medieval England as a endearing short form of Elizabeth before becoming an independent given name.