Betsy

♀ Girl

Pronounced BET-see /ˈbɛt.si/High

Meaning: pledged to God, my God is an oathHigh

In 30 seconds: Betsy is a beloved American diminutive of Elizabeth meaning pledged to God. A classic vintage nickname with colonial American heritage and the spirit of Betsy Ross.

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Origin HighHebrew, English

Meaningpledged to God, my God is an oath

U.S. rank (2025)#2724 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births63 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1959

Total births (all-time)≈ 48,944

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Betsy is a diminutive of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheba meaning my God is an oath. It was one of the most popular nicknames for Elizabeth in colonial America.

Betsy was very popular in the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries and retains a warm, wholesome Americana quality.

Did you know? Betsy Ross (1752–1836) is traditionally credited with sewing the first American flag — making Betsy one of the most patriotically American names in history.

Overall data confidence 92%

Hanks & Hodges, Dictionary of First Names — reference for BetsyBehind the Name: Betsy — name etymology reference

Variations

ElizabethBethBessElsie

Nicknames

BetsBetz

Famous Bearers

★Betsy Ross (1752–1836)
Betsy Ross, American upholsterer traditionally credited by family tradition with making the first US flag.

If you like Betsy…

Lizzie— similar vintage Elizabeth diminutive

Sally— vintage American diminutive of similar era

Gracie— vintage -ie name of similar American charm

Nellie— vintage -ie nickname of same American charm

Explore names like Betsy

By themeenglish hebrew two-syllable vintage americana

By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Betsy mean?

Betsy means pledged to God, as a diminutive of Elizabeth from the Hebrew Elisheba.

How do you pronounce Betsy?

Betsy is pronounced BET-see (/ˈbɛt.si/), with two syllables.

Is Betsy a girl's name?

Yes, Betsy is an exclusively feminine name.

How popular is the name Betsy?

Betsy was very popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries and retains a warm vintage Americana quality.