Betsy

At a Glance

Meaning

Pet form of Elizabeth; carries Elizabeth's meaning 'God is my oath'

Origin

English (diminutive of Elizabeth)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

BET-seeListen

Betsy is an English name that started life as a pet form of Elizabeth, carrying that name's meaning of 'God is my oath.' It's been tracked in U.S. birth data going all the way back to 1880, giving it a long, well-documented history as a nickname-turned-name in its own right. If you're drawn to Elizabeth but want something a little more casual and familiar-feeling, Betsy is the shorter path there.

Meaning & Origin of Betsy

Meaning: Pet form of Elizabeth; carries Elizabeth's meaning 'God is my oath'.

Origin: English (diminutive of Elizabeth).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Betsy

Popularity of Betsy

Betsy had its moment in 1959, when it ranked #228 with 1,390 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had fallen far from that peak, ranking #2404 with just 75 babies — a clear sign it's become a rare choice today rather than a common one.

Names Like Betsy

These names have followed a similar path to Betsy in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Broderick
• Marla
• Tim
• Jacquelyn
• Dwight
• Kirby

FAQ

What does the name Betsy mean?

Pet form of Elizabeth; carries Elizabeth’s meaning ‘God is my oath’. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Betsy?

Betsy is pronounced BET-see (IPA: /ˈbɛtsi/).

Is Betsy a popular name right now?

Betsy peaked at #228 in 1959 and is ranked #2404 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Betsy Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Betsy, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.