Betty

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Betty

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Betty is 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:
Betty was first used in the English-speaking world during the 18th century. It became highly popular in the beginning of the 20th century in the United States.

Pronunciation: beth

Alternates: Betti, Bettie, Bettina, Bettine, Bettye.

Famous Bearers:

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Betty Friedman (1921-)
American femininst.

Political Figures:
Elizabeth “Betty” Bloomer Warren Ford (1918-)
American First Lady.

Singers and Entertainers:
Betty Grable (Ruth Elizabeth Grable) (1916- 1973)
American actress.
Betty White (1922-)
American actress .
Betty Carter (Lillie Mae Jones) (1930-1998)
American Jazz singer.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.666% named Betty
0.023% named Bettie
0.019% named Bette
0.015% named Bettye
0.006% named Bettina

Popularity of Betty:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1850: 125th most popular.
1875: 190th most popular.
1900-1910: 92nd most popular.
1910-1920: 44th most popular.
1920-1930: 4th most popular.
1920: 10th most popular.
1921: 7th most popular.
1922: 6th most popular.
1923: 5th most popular.
1924: 4th most popular.
1925: 3rd most popular.
1926: 4th most popular.
1927: 2nd most popular.
1928: 2nd most popular.
1929: 2nd most popular.
1930: 2nd most popular.
1931: 2nd most popular.
1932: 2nd most popular.
1933: 2nd most popular.
1934: 2nd most popular.
1935: 4th most popular.
1936: 4th most popular
1937: 5th most popular
1938: 4th most popular
1939: 4th most popular
1940-1950: 11th most popular.
1940: 6th most popular.
1941: 9th most popular.
1942: 7th most popular.
1943: 10th most popular.
1950-1960: 35th most popular.
1960-1970: 104th most popular.
1970-1980: 244th most popular.
1980-1990: 434th most popular.
1990: 592nd most popular.
1991: 668th most popular.
1992: 727th most popular.
1993: 734th most popular.
1994: 747th most popular.
1995: 848th most popular.
1996: 926th most popular.
1997: N/A

In France...
1900-1960: N/A
1961: 196th most popular.
1962: N/A
1969: 125th most popular.
1970: 149th most popular.
1980: 143rd most popular.
1989: 199th most popular.
1990-2000: N/A

Popularity of Bettie:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1800: 94th most popular.
1850: 58th most popular.
1875: 89th most popular.
1900-1910: 352nd most popular.
1910-1920: 318th most popular.
1920-1930: 197th most popular.
1930-1940: 224th most popular.
1940-1950: 285th most popular.
1950-1960: 572nd most popular.
1960-2000: N/A

Popularity of Bettye:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: N/A
1910-1920: 981st most popular.
1920-1930: 329th most popular.
1930-1940: 248th most popular.
1940-1950: 282nd most popular.
1950-1960: 569th most popular.
1960-2000: N/A