Bessie

For many more names, please Return to Edgar's Main Page.

Bessie

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Bessie and Bess are short for Elizabeth, the English form of the Hebrew name, Elisheva, or Elisheba. Originally it meant “My God is Bountiful,” “God of Plenty,” “Consecrated to God,” “Oath of God,” “God is Satisfaction,” or “God is Perfection.”

History:
Bess, as a nickname for Elizabeth, was most common during the 16th century (Queen Elizabeth I of England was known as “Good Queen Bess”). It experienced a major revival during 19th century, but quickly disappeared during the the 20th century,

Pronunciation: bess

Alternates: Bessy.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Bess Genevra Streeter Aldrich (1881-1954)
American author. Wrote A Lantern in her Hand.
Annie Elizabeth "Bessie" Delany (1891-1995)
American. Co-author of Having Our Say: the Delany Sisters’ First One Hundred Years.
Bessie Emery Head (1937-1986)
South African writer.

Miscellaneous:
Bessie Coleman (Elizabeth Coleman) (1893-1926)
American Aviator.

Royalty:
Good Queen Bess (Queen Elizabeth I of England) (1533-1603)
Considered England's greatest monarch. Gave her name to the Elizabethan Age.

Singers and Entertainers:
Bessie Smith (Elizabeth Smith) (1898-1937)
American blues singer.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.096% named Bessie
0.007% named Bess

Popularity of Bessie:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1850: 166th most popular.
1875: 55th most popular.
1900-1910: 32nd most popular.
1910-1920: 56th most popular.
1920-1930: 86th most popular.
1930-1940: 137th most popular.
1940-1950: 216th most popular.
1950-1960: 375th most popular.
1960-1970: 610th most popular.
1970-1980: 926th most popular.
1980-2000: N/A

Popularity of Bess:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 310th most popular.
1910-1920: 506th most popular.
1920-1930: 983rd most popular.
1930-2000: N/A