Betsy Girl

Popularity: #885 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BET-see /ˈbɛtsi/

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: God is my oath; English: Diminutive of Elizabeth

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Betsy is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning "God is my oath." This name was transliterated into Greek as Elisabet and subsequently into Latin as Elisabeth. The name Elisabeth became popular in various forms across Europe, including the Old French form Élisabeth, which eventually led to the English Betsy as a diminutive or affectionate form.

The transition into English occurred during the Middle Ages, particularly as the name Elisabeth gained prominence due to its biblical roots, notably through figures such as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, mentioned in the New Testament. Throughout history, the name Betsy has been associated with several notable figures.

One significant milestone was the use of the name in the 18th century, particularly in America, where it became popularized through various cultural references and literature. Betsy Ross, a seamstress credited with creating the first American flag, is one of the most famous bearers of the name, and her story has become a symbol of American patriotism and independence.

The name also appears in various literary works and songs, further embedding it in cultural consciousness. Culturally, Betsy has often been associated with qualities such as loyalty and faithfulness, reflecting its etymological roots.

The name has been embraced in various forms, including Betsy as a diminutive of Elizabeth, which has maintained its charm and familiarity across generations. The enduring nature of the name Betsy can be attributed to its historical significance, cultural associations, and the warmth conveyed through its use as a diminutive, making it a beloved choice in various contexts.

Famous people named Betsy

In this section, you will find notable people named Betsy. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Betsy who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Betsy who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Betsy Ross is a seamstress best known for creating the first American flag.

Betsy Brandt is an actress best known for her role in Breaking Bad and The Michael J. Fox Show.

Betsy Johnson is a fashion designer best known for her unique clothing designs and vibrant patterns.

Fictional characters named Betsy

The following list of fictional characters named Betsy is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Betsy Braddock is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. She is a mutant with telepathic abilities and has been a prominent member of the X-Men team.

Betsy Ross is a fictional character from the animated series The Fairly OddParents. She is a supporting character who is known for her role as a historical figure in the show's various episodes.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Betsy, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ElizabethBeatriceBettyBeverlyBridgetBianca

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Betsy. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

BetteBettyBellaBriaBlytheBrennaBlair

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Betsy was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Betsy has ranked as high as #432 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, North Carolina, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Betsy has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Betsy is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Betsy was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Betsy.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 63 0 63
2024 75 0 75
2023 77 0 77
2022 85 0 85
2021 67 0 67
2020 89 0 89
2019 92 0 92
2018 94 0 94
2017 96 0 96
2016 106 0 106
2015 125 0 125
2014 134 0 134
2013 134 0 134
2012 139 0 139
2011 130 0 130
2010 154 0 154
2009 160 0 160
2008 219 0 219
2007 247 0 247
2006 370 0 370
2005 119 0 119
2004 153 0 153
2003 133 0 133
2002 123 0 123
2001 124 0 124
2000 157 0 157
1999 153 0 153
1998 173 0 173
1997 171 0 171
1996 158 0 158
1995 170 0 170
1994 186 0 186
1993 233 0 233
1992 237 0 237
1991 252 0 252
1990 281 0 281
1989 302 0 302
1988 339 0 339
1987 404 0 404
1986 354 0 354
1985 399 0 399
1984 455 0 455
1983 401 0 401
1982 421 0 421
1981 448 0 448
1980 536 0 536
1979 530 0 530
1978 472 0 472
1977 470 0 470
1976 613 0 613
1975 512 0 512
1974 489 0 489
1973 549 0 549
1972 634 0 634
1971 700 0 700
1970 492 0 492
1969 414 0 414
1968 479 0 479
1967 535 0 535
1966 698 0 698
1965 932 0 932
1964 1,026 0 1,026
1963 1,078 0 1,078
1962 1,012 0 1,012
1961 1,137 5 1,132
1960 1,252 0 1,252
1959 1,390 0 1,390
1958 1,288 0 1,288
1957 1,097 0 1,097
1956 1,066 0 1,066
1955 984 0 984
1954 1,003 0 1,003
1953 986 0 986
1952 976 0 976
1951 881 0 881
1950 890 0 890
1949 769 0 769
1948 719 0 719
1947 847 0 847
1946 696 0 696
1945 651 0 651
1944 670 0 670
1943 665 0 665
1942 711 5 706
1941 650 0 650
1940 607 0 607
1939 513 0 513
1938 480 0 480
1937 450 0 450
1936 384 0 384
1935 384 0 384
1934 357 0 357
1933 323 0 323
1932 350 0 350
1931 327 0 327
1930 361 0 361
1929 341 0 341
1928 317 0 317
1927 283 0 283
1926 262 0 262
1925 284 0 284
1924 236 0 236
1923 217 0 217
1922 228 0 228
1921 200 0 200
1920 183 0 183
1919 145 0 145
1918 178 0 178
1917 112 0 112
1916 108 0 108
1915 77 0 77
1914 79 0 79
1913 49 0 49
1912 27 0 27
1911 30 0 30
1910 36 0 36
1909 25 0 25
1908 24 0 24
1907 19 0 19
1906 17 0 17
1905 17 0 17
1904 15 0 15
1903 11 0 11
1902 21 0 21
1901 16 0 16
1900 24 0 24
1899 14 0 14
1898 17 0 17
1897 10 0 10
1896 14 0 14
1895 17 0 17
1894 26 0 26
1893 17 0 17
1892 27 0 27
1891 18 0 18
1890 13 0 13
1889 15 0 15
1888 22 0 22
1887 19 0 19
1886 20 0 20
1885 13 0 13
1884 19 0 19
1883 13 0 13
1882 18 0 18
1881 13 0 13
1880 14 0 14

Top States for Betsy (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
PA 7
58%
TN 5
42%