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Elizabeth

♀ Girl

Pronounced ih-LIZ-uh-beth /ɪˈlɪz.ə.bɛθ/High

Meaning: My God is an oath; my God is abundance; pledged to GodHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Hebrew 'my God is an oath,' Elizabeth is one of the most enduring royal and biblical names in the English-speaking world, blessed with the richest array of nicknames of any name.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningMy God is an oath; my God is abundance; pledged to God
Peak year1990
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,629,679

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199018802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Elizabeth derives from the Hebrew Elisheba, composed of El (God) and sheva (oath, or possibly seven/abundance). In the Old Testament, Elisheba was the wife of Aaron. In the New Testament, Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist and a cousin of the Virgin Mary.

Two English queens bore this name — Elizabeth I (1533–1603) and Elizabeth II (1926–2022) — giving it unmatched royal prestige. It has never left the U.S. top 25 girls' names since records began in 1880 and has frequently ranked in the top ten. Its stability across centuries is virtually unmatched.

Did you know? Elizabeth has more common English nicknames than virtually any other name — including Liz, Lizzie, Beth, Betty, Betsy, Bette, Eliza, Elsa, Liza, Libby, and Bess — a testament to how deeply embedded it is in English culture over centuries.

Variations

ElisabethElspethElisaElizaIsabelIsabella

Nicknames

LizLizzieBethBettyBetsyElizaLibbyBessElsa

Famous Bearers

  • ★Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022)
    Queen of the United Kingdom for 70 years, the longest-reigning British monarch.
  • ★Elizabeth I (1533–1603)
    Queen of England, presided over the Elizabethan era.
  • ★Elizabeth Taylor (1932–2011)
    British-American actress, two-time Academy Award winner.

If you like Elizabeth…

Charlotte— shares the long history of English royal use
Eleanor— equally regal and classic with deep historical roots
Victoria— another name defined by a long-reigning English queen
Margaret— fellow classic royal name with a wealth of nicknames

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elizabeth mean?

Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'my God is abundance,' borne by Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist.

How do you pronounce Elizabeth?

Elizabeth is said ih-LIZ-uh-beth /ɪˈlɪz.ə.bɛθ/ — four syllables, with stress on the second.

Is Elizabeth a boy or girl name?

Elizabeth is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Elizabeth?

Elizabeth has never fallen out of the U.S. top 25 girls' names since SSA records began in 1880, placing it among the most consistently popular names in American history.