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Home › Baby Names Directory › Bettye

Bettye

♀ Girl

Pronounced BET-ee /ˈbɛt.iː/High

Meaning: A decorative respelling of Betty, a pet form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, 'God is my oath.' The final -e was a fashionable early-century flourish.Medium

In 30 seconds: Bettye is a 1930s spelling of Betty, from Elizabeth, 'God is my oath' (said 'BET-ee').
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Origin MediumHebrew, English
MeaningA decorative respelling of Betty, a pet form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, 'God is my oath.' The final -e was a fashionable early-century flourish.
U.S. rank (1998)#14435 ↘ Falling
1998 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1933
Total births (all-time)≈ 22,920

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193318831998

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

Bettye is a flourished spelling of Betty, a pet form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, 'God is my oath.' Betty was a jazz-age favorite, and the ornamental Bettye spelling crested around 1933 before slipping away, now a distinctly period touch.

Given to several hundred girls a year at its height, Bettye is now vintage, a 1930s spin on a classic short form.

Did you know? Bettye peaked around 1933 and faded well before mid-century, a dressed-up Betty with a fashionable final -e.
Overall data confidence 78%
References — Bettye — Variant of Betty; pet form of Elizabeth

Variations

BettyBetteBettie

Nicknames

BettBee

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bettye…

Betty— the parent name Bettye dresses up
Bette— a sister variant
Bettie— a like decorative spelling
Dottie— a same-era pet-form favorite

Explore names like Bettye

By themevintagevarianthebrew-root1930s

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bettye mean?

Bettye is a variant of Betty, a pet form of Elizabeth, meaning 'God is my oath.'

How do you pronounce Bettye?

It's said BET-ee /ˈbɛt.iː/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Bettye a boy or girl name?

Bettye is used as a girl's name.

Is Bettye making a comeback?

Not yet — it's a jazz-age favorite that has been rare for generations, though short Elizabeth forms are quietly fashionable again.

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