Betty
Betty is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is my oath.
Origin and history
Betty originated as a diminutive of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew name Elisheba meaning 'God is my oath'. It became immensely popular in the early-to-mid 20th century as an independent given name in the United States. Today, it carries a vintage, classic charm as parents look toward traditional mid-century names.
Popularity in the United States
1,001,238 babies in the United States have been named Betty since 1880. It ranks #14 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1053.
States where it is most popular
- PA (6.7 %)
- OH (6.1 %)
- TX (5.5 %)
- IL (5 %)
- NC (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,519 |
| 1890-1900 | 3,196 |
| 1900-1910 | 7,921 |
| 1910-1920 | 44,894 |
| 1920-1930 | 283,096 |
| 1930-1940 | 300,409 |
| 1940-1950 | 194,623 |
| 1950-1960 | 103,204 |
| 1960-1970 | 38,397 |
| 1970-1980 | 11,708 |
| 1980-1990 | 5,163 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,638 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,446 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,744 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,280 |
Famous people named Betty
- Betty White: Actress, Comedian
Nicknames
Bet, Bts
Fun facts
- Betty was one of the top female names in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s.
- The name was popularized in mid-century American pop culture through figures like Betty White and fictional characters like Betty Boop.