Bette
Bette is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Pledged to God; oath of God.
Origin and history
Bette is a traditional short form of Elizabeth, derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba meaning 'my God is an oath'. It achieved significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, largely influenced by iconic Hollywood figures, but has become rare in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
34,897 babies in the United States have been named Bette since 1880. It ranks #746 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2046.
States where it is most popular
- PA (8.5 %)
- IL (7.9 %)
- NY (7.7 %)
- CA (6.8 %)
- OH (6.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 15 |
| 1900-1910 | 108 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,288 |
| 1920-1930 | 13,273 |
| 1930-1940 | 7,389 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,034 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,438 |
| 1960-1970 | 890 |
| 1970-1980 | 181 |
| 1980-1990 | 99 |
| 1990-2000 | 45 |
| 2000-2010 | 17 |
| 2010-2019 | 65 |
| 2020-2029 | 55 |
Famous people named Bette
- Bette Davis: Actress
- Bette Midler: Singer, Actress
Fun facts
- The distinct single-syllable pronunciation 'BET' was famously popularized by Oscar-winning actress Bette Davis.
- Like Betty, Beth, and Betsy, Bette originated as a diminutive of Elizabeth in English and French tradition.