Betsey Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Betsey is a diminutive of Elizabeth, which has Hebrew roots meaning 'God is my oath.' The name has evolved from Elisheba to Elizabeth and eventually to Betsey. It gained popularity as a diminutive in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it is perceived as charming and vintage, with notable figures like fashion designer Betsey Johnson contributing to its recognition.
The name Betsey is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Betsey has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Betsey' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2067th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1267th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1630th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2882nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6548th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 17023rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 21584th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Betsey' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Betsey"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɛtsi/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Betsey is a diminutive form of Elizabeth, which is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath.'
Meaning
God is my oath
Language Evolution
Elisheba (Hebrew), Elizabeth (Old English), Betsey (English)
Historical Usage
The name Betsey gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a common diminutive of Elizabeth, especially in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Betty, Liz, Beth, Eliza
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Betsey is seen as a charming and vintage name, often associated with a classic and friendly image.
Famous People
Betsey Johnson (fashion designer), Betsey Ross (seamstress credited with making the first American flag)
Explore More Betsey Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Betsey"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Betsey"
"Betsey" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2067th of 9107 | 307 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1267th of 9204 | 652 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1630th of 12526 | 784 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2882nd of 19264 | 400 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6548th of 27321 | 188 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 17023rd of 35406 | 59 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 21584th of 30306 | 20 |
Regional Popularity of "Betsey" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Betsey" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
89.20% 1230th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
45.31% 705th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
85.77% 1910th/2227 |
39.88% 969th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
100.00% 2937th/2937 |
70.03% 2439th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
94.43% 7047th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Betsey"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Betsey" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.