Betsey
Betsey was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1889, when it ranked 725th; the most babies were born in 1942 (62). More babies were named Betsey in the 1940s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Betsy) pet form of Elizabeth · English, Hebrew
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedgirls
- Babies in 2025
- 0girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 194262 babies
- Total since 1880
- 2,481babies recorded
What does the name Betsey mean?
Betsey is a spelling of Betsy, pronounced the same way, so it shares Betsy's meaning and origin.
Betsy is an English pet form of Elizabeth, from a short form (Bet) plus the friendly ending -sy. Elizabeth comes through Greek from the Hebrew Elisheva, "my God is an oath". In the US the name is linked with Betsy Ross, who by tradition sewed the first Stars and Stripes. Betsy was most common in the 1950s.
אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Biblical Hebrew, “Elisheva, "my God is an oath"”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Elizabeth, Bess, Betty, Bettie, Beth.
See also: Hebrew names, names that mean God.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Betsy', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Elizabeth', DMNES (Durham University)
- Wikipedia, 'Betsy', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Betsey popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2010 | #17,437 | 5 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1990 | #7,360 | 11 |
| 1980 | #3,329 | 25 |
| 1970 | #2,943 | 23 |
| 1960 | #1,856 | 37 |
| 1950 | #1,497 | 38 |
| 1940 | #1,117 | 42 |
| 1930 | #2,120 | 16 |
| 1920 | #2,283 | 16 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | #1,750 | 6 |
| 1890 | #877 | 10 |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Betsey, counting every spelling?
Betsey is a spelling of Betsy, a name family that had 69 girls in 2025 across its spellings. Together these spellings went to 69 girls in 2025.
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Betsey?
About 1,500 people born in the US named Betsey are alive today, with a median age of 64; half are between 49 and 76. That makes Betsey a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Betsey by state
How common Betsey was among girls born in each state in 1940–1944, around its peak. It is notably more common than nationally in Massachusetts (5.3×), New York (1.9×). In 47 states fewer than five girls a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Betsey: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Betsey, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Betsey
What does Betsey mean?
Betsey is a spelling of Betsy, which means “pet form of Elizabeth” (English, Hebrew origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Betsey?
Betsey was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1889, when it ranked 725th; the most babies were born in 1942 (62). More babies were named Betsey in the 1940s than in any other decade.
Is Betsey a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Betsey in the US.
Where was Betsey most popular?
In 1940–1944, Betsey was most common in Massachusetts (0.20 per 1,000 girls), followed by Connecticut and New York.