Betty
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: God Is My Oath; Diminutive of Elizabeth
Background: The name Betty originates as a diminutive form of Elizabeth, which is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath.' This name later transitioned into the Greek form Elisabet, and then into English as Elizabeth, from which Betty emerged as a familiar version.
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#14
Total births
1,004,638
Most popular decade
1930s
(905,517 births)
10-year trend
↑ Rising (+232 ranks)
Years in Top 100
61
First recorded year
1880
Gender usage
0.4% male
99.6% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1904
- First year births
- 8
- First year rank
- #874
- Peak year
- 1934
- Peak year births
- 170
- Peak rank
- #430
- Most recent year
- 1988
- Recent year births
- 6
- Recent rank
- #6,426
Female
- First year
- 1880
- First year births
- 117
- First year rank
- #136
- Peak year
- 1930
- Peak year births
- 38,238
- Peak rank
- #2
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 253
- Recent rank
- #1,008
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).